Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM
Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM
High Speed Profiler HSP installed on a measurement train
© DB Netz AG

3D clearance profile in real-time

Our laser scanners measure up to 554 profiles per second without contact. This way, objects in the track environment of only a few centimeters in size can be detected even at high travelling speeds.

© DB Netz AG

© Fraunhofer iPM
The scanning data provides information on objects interfering with the clearance profile (marked red).

Easy detection of violations of the clearance gauge

The scan data reveal objects protruding into the clearance profile.

© Fraunhofer iPM

3D Clearance Profile

Free travel for trains

Shifts in the track bed or objects protruding into the track area pose a danger to rail traffic. This applies to tunnels or platforms as well as along railway lines, where vegetation can protrude into the train corridor. In order to maintain the specified clearance profile, it is measured at regular intervals by special measuring trains. For this purpose, Deutsche Bahn (DB) uses the LIMEZ clearance measuring train, equipped with cutting edge measuring technology by Fraunhofer IPM.

Clearance Profile Scanner CPS / High Speed Profiler HSP

The Clearance Profile Scanner CPS and the High Speed Profiler HSP record the position of the track bed and the clearance profile of railway tracks – in other words, the limits specified around the track that have to be free of obstacles.

The laser measurement system CPS is installed on the vehicle and operates without contact. It scans the clearance profile in a range of almost 360° perpendicular to the direction of travel and references the data to the center of the track. The laser scanner performs 200 profile measurements per second - the high-speed variant HSP even 554 profile measurements. In addition to the clearance profile, the system also records objects near the track. The data is provided three-dimensionally in real time and forms the basis for maintenance work.

Messzug-Fahrt der DB wird zum Youtube-Hit – mit an Bord ist Messtechnik von Fraunhofer IPM

The new Deutsche Bahn line from Wendlingen to Ulm, which is scheduled to go into operation in December 2022, is 60 kilometers long. A first measurement run with the LIMEZ clearance gauge train took place mid December 2021. The train is equipped with our Clearance Profile Scanner CPS, which is used to measure the clearance profile. There has been huge interest in the video: the almost three-hour film had already been viewed around 100,000 times by the end of the year – even though virtually nothing is happening. Perhaps a welcome slowdown at the turn of the year.

Further applications »Railway Measurement«