Manual and automated systems are currently used to inspect railcars and locomotives. Trained personnel inspect the equipment visually, usually while it is stopped over an inspection pit or from the wayside as it slowly passes a trackside inspector. The proposed machine vision system consists of image acquisition hardware as well as computer algorithms for interpreting each car and locomotive, as well as their individual components. Visible and infrared (IR) cameras are used in the image acquisition system. The cameras are positioned between and beneath the rails and are oriented upwards toward the train's undercarriage.

Key Takeaway:

According to a PIB Delhi report, the On-line Monitoring of Rolling Stock System (OMRS) is being implemented in Indian Railways. OMRS is a way-side inspection system that uses an Acoustic Bearing Detector (ABD) or Rail Bearing Acoustic Monitor (RailBAM) and a Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD)/Wheel Condition Monitor (WCM) to detect faults in rolling asset bearings and wheels. This is an automated system for detecting defective wheels and bearings and catching them before they fail, resulting in more efficient use of coaches, waggons, and locomotives. Number of faults identified in Bearings by RailBAM: Wagons- 33, Coaches-6, Locomotives-1 Coaches have had the most faults found in their wheels by WCM, with a total of seven. As a result, Indian Railways has implemented an automated defect detection system known as OMRS. In phase-I, 25 OMRS systems are being installed at 20 locations across the entire Indian Railways network on sections identified by a high-level multi-disciplinary committee of the Railway Board. Furthermore, as of today, six OMRS systems have been installed, with ten more expected to be installed during the current fiscal year 2019-20.

Top Impacting Factors

High government involvement bolsters the growth of global railway automated inspection equipment market

According to a report released by the US Department of Transportation, track defects account for 34% of all derailments each year. To address this accident cause, the FRA is conducting active research to develop and deploy enhanced track inspection systems as a preventive approach to reducing track accidents by detecting defects before they cause an accident. While derailments caused by broken joint bars are uncommon, they can have serious consequences on rare occasions. As an alternative, the FRA is developing a high-speed photo inspection system that will detect the presence of a joint bar in continuous welded rail (CWR), take a high-resolution, high-quality picture of the gauge and field sides of the joint bar, and use pattern-recognition software to automatically detect a crack and generate a report for the railroad. Furthermore, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a promising technology that the FRA has identified for the diagnosis of safety-related track subsurface problems.

But apart from that, inspection and maintenance of complex railway infrastructures account for a significant portion of total infrastructure costs, with track maintenance accounting for approximately 40% of that. Reduced track-related maintenance costs would have a significant impact on the operating costs of rail transportation systems. The EU-funded project 'Automated and cost effective railway maintenance' aimed to achieve this while also improving safety and passenger comfort (ACEM RAIL). ACEM RAIL created a set of maintenance performance indicators to help assess sustainability in terms of cost, quality, safety, and environmental impact. Application in simulated scenarios, at a test and validation centre, and in railway infrastructure demonstrated the ACEM RAIL systems' significant benefits across the board.

Automation offers cut throat competition to the traditional railway automated inspection equipment market

According to a report released by the World Economic Forum in Brazil, Australian labor costs are significantly higher. BHP Billiton, for example, reports that Pilbaran train drivers earned an average of US$190,694 in 2013; they bring a high level of technical skill to this remote location that is required to safely traverse the diverse topography while carrying such heavy freights. Rio Tinto, one of the world's three largest iron ore producers, along with BHP and Vale, has led the way in automation. Rio has invested US$518 Mn in the project and has already begun testing automated trains this year, with the goal of completing the world's first automated heavy-haul rail network by 2015. Cost-cutting efforts that result in low-cost production are required; ramping up production will allow them to maintain absolute profit levels while forcing competitors out of the game by driving prices even lower in the short term.

Market Segmentation

The global railway automated inspection equipment market is segmented as inspection system, inspection tools, inspection vehicles, and offering. Inspection system is segmented as Track Geometry Measurement System (TGMS), Rail Profile Measurement System, Third-rail (Power Rail), Measurement System (TRMS), and others. Further, inspection tool is bifurcated into Portable Track Loading Fixture (PTLF) and Digital Track Notebook 3.0 (DTN). Moreover, inspection vehicle is segregated as self-propelled vehicle, towed coaches, and hi-rail vehicles. Offering is classified into solution or equipment and services.

Regional Landscape

North America dominates; Asia Pacific registers fastest growing CAGR for the railway automated inspection equipment market

The railway automated inspection equipment market is dominated by North America. Factors such as rising demand for passenger and freight capacity, as well as an increase in the number of railway projects in North America, are expected to drive the growth of the railway automated inspection equipment market. Furthermore, an increase in concern for railroad inspection and maintenance activities is expected to be a key market driver. North American countries and trade logistics requirements impose the demand for highly efficient rail road transportation, creating the need for railroad transportation and maintenance activities throughout the region. This is one of the major factors driving the growth of the global railway automated inspection equipment market.

Asia Pacific, on the other hand, is expected to have the fastest growing CAGR in the railway automated inspection equipment market. Favorable government policies relating to the adoption of advanced technology, as well as the allocation of increased budgets, are factors that are positively influencing the growth of the global railway automated inspection equipment market.

Competitive Landscape

The prominent players of the global railway automated inspection equipment market involve Alstom SA, Bombardier Inc., MERMEC S.p.A., Siemens AG, Trimble Inc., Per Aarsleff A/S, Rail Vision., and among others

Market Segmentation

Market By Inspection System

Track Geometry Measurement System (TGMS)
Rail Profile Measurement System
Third-rail (Power Rail)
Measurement System (TRMS)
Others

Market By Inspection Tools

Portable Track Loading Fixture (PTLF)
Digital Track Notebook 3.0 (DTN)

Market By Inspection Vehicles

Self-propelled Vehicle
Towed Coaches
Hi-rail Vehicles

Market By Offering

Solution or Equipment
Services

Market By Geography

North America
•    U.S.
•    Canada

Europe
•    U.K.
•    Germany
•    France
•    Spain
•    Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific
•    China
•    Japan
•    India
•    Australia
•    South Korea
•    Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America
•    Brazil 
•    Mexico
•    Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa
•    GCC
•    South Africa
•    Rest of Middle East & Africa