Tech event: juggling terabytes of measurement data

Measurement and diagnostic technology (MUD)

The SBB measurement and diagnostic technology (MUD) vehicles regularly check the tracks and overhead power lines on the rail network. Acceleration, position and laser sensors are used to measure the track gauge, direction and twisting of the track geometry. At the same time, the track is checked for rail defects using ultrasound and eddy current testing. Hidden cracks come to light. But not only the track, but also the contact wire is checked using sensors and laser-based systems. In addition, driver's cab and overhead line videos are continuously filmed, which can later be used for analysis.

Each measurement run generates terabytes of data, which are stored and assigned to the exact location on the corresponding route. GPS data and information from the balises passed over are used for this positioning. Information from an inertial measurement unit and odometers is also processed so that areas without GPS data can also be covered.

Standardize measurement data

The measurement data comes from different systems and is not standardized at first. In order to prepare them for later, they are standardized, checked for consistency and stored in such a way that it is always possible to assign which track at which location the measured value applies to. After standardization, further processing is carried out by one and the same tool chain, regardless of which measuring vehicle collected the data.

Digital platform

Supercomputing Systems (SCS) developed the digital platform for the measurement data for SBB. One challenge was to standardize the data from different systems and proprietary formats and convert it into SBB's standardized format. In addition, very large volumes of data are continuously generated over a long period of time, which are processed and stored on site in the measurement vehicle. Back at the main location of the diagnostic vehicles, the data is transferred to the SBB servers.

In the application developed by SCS, SBB operators can access the data from the measurement runs. Algorithms developed by SBB search the data for conspicuous points, which are then closely monitored by specialists. The applications from SCS support the operators from the planning of the measurement runs, through the execution, to the evaluation and extraction of relevant condition information to ensure the safety and availability of the infrastructure.

Following the presentations, all participants are cordially invited to an aperitif. The event is open to all interested parties and will also be broadcast online.