Be sure to read the January 2024 Materials Evaluation special Technical Focus Issue on nondestructive evaluation for railroads. This open-access issue was guest edited by Anish Poudel, PhD, FASNT. Following is Poudel’s introductory letter to this issue. Watch this video to see Poudel’s overview of what is in this special issue.
.
.
By Anish Poudel, PhD
Welcome to Materials Evaluation’s Technical Focus Issue on the nondestructive evaluation (NDE) for railroads. It is an honor and privilege to serve as the guest editor for this special issue. In the ever-evolving landscape of rail transportation, where the health and reliability of railway systems are paramount, NDE and characterization techniques emerge as indispensable tools for monitoring and ensuring the integrity of this critical infrastructure worldwide.
Railroads play a crucial role in global transportation infrastructure, serving as a backbone for the movement of goods and people. Rail operators across the globe navigate through challenging conditions of loading, fatigue, and evolving natural environmental factors and conditions. Monitoring railway components in a timely and reliable manner is vital, as it empowers operators and asset owners to understand, predict, and measure changes before they escalate into critical issues.
Advanced NDE technologies enable the modern railroad network to meet today’s transportation challenges. They allow railroads to inspect and monitor their infrastructures, freight cars, and equipment with greater frequency, efficiency, and reliability and contribute to a world-class transportation system that moves the economy forward. Advanced NDE tools empower railroads and their employees to make better decisions, giving them an inside view of the rail network’s infrastructure, well beyond what can be seen by the human eye, to reach their ultimate goal—an accident-free future.
This special issue brings together a diverse range of contributions from experts in the field, providing a comprehensive exploration of the challenges, advancements, and best practices in the NDE of railroads that leverage established and cutting-edge NDE methods to advance the inspection state of the railway sector globally. The marriage of sensor technologies, increased computing power, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms opens new frontiers in revolutionizing NDE practices and holds immense promise in enhancing the precision and efficiency of inspection processes. These advancements promise to usher in intelligent maintenance practices and operations, providing a paradigm shift in how we approach the monitoring and upkeep of railway systems.
Within the pages of this issue, you will explore various NDE modalities applied to different railroad applications. Our contributors cover various topics, including improving rail flaw detection/imaging approaches, the need for axle defect detection, preventing track buckling, and innovative NDE technologies for predicting rail neutral temperature (RNT). Of particular note is in situ RNT prediction, which has become increasingly critical in the face of drastic changes in climate and temperature worldwide. The RNT is the temperature at which the rail is neither in compression nor tension, and it is a crucial parameter for ensuring the stability and safety of railway tracks. Integrating advanced technologies and proactive maintenance strategies is crucial for addressing RNT challenges and ensuring the continued resilience of railway infrastructure.
I am grateful to the authors whose dedication and expertise have enriched this special issue. The compilation of research and insights herein will serve as a valuable resource for professionals, researchers, and practitioners involved in the dynamic realm of railway NDE. Thank you for your interest and support.
Watch this video to see Poudel’s overview of what is in this special issue.
.
_______
.
Anish Poudel, PhD, MXV Rail, Research and Development, anish_poudel@aar.com
.