W3@Signal Real-Time Switch Monitoring System (RSMS)

Railway switch failure causes major delays or potential derailing. Real-Time Switch Monitoring System (RSMS), namely W3@Signal, provides switch operation status by real-time monitoring and data modeling, consequently predicting the issue and recommending the fix.

How It Works?

In 714 mainline track miles of the New York City Subway system(NYCT), 27% – 30% major delay (more than 50 trains) are caused by signals. Among them, around 25% to 30% are caused by faulty switches so the faulty switch disproportionally cause major delays.[1]

The 3,538 mainline switches [2] are the most critical signal elements in the New York subway system and consume a significant portion of the annual signal
Each switch is dynamic and different due to the number of movements, use, train speed & rail environment (elevated, underground, etc.). So far, no data pattern or criteria have been established for the switch part replacement and maintenance except the FRA 30-day inspection cycle for each mainline switch.
Maintenance budget, including labor and material.

W3@Signal Switch Monitoring System (WSMS) makes full use of the available train control system (CBTC), Solid-State interlocking (SSI), and AWS event data to create the profile for each switch, predict the potential issue with movement timing and driving current, and through extensive data analysis enable condition-based maintenance and part replacement.

Functions:

Each switch profile with its history, usage, wear prediction, remaining useful life, repair/replacement records and recommendations etc.
Alert maintenance manager, engineers, and technicians in Desktop/Mobile APP, message, and email when certain switch movement timing or driving current reaches Alarm (red flag)/Alert (yellow flag) level.
Real-time monitoring of the key switches in the key interlockings.
Daily switch watch list.
Weekly/monthly switch maintenance/part replacement list.
Acknowledge the red or yellow flag switch with the repair/maintenance record.
Compare switch movement before and after switch maintenance or part replacement.

Features:

Track guideway switch map with red and yellow flag.
Click red or yellow flag switch in the guideway map to show the detailed switch profile and the diagram of movement timing and driving current.
Sheet list of the red flag and yellow flag switches.
Click red or yellow flag switch on the sheet list to show the detailed switch profile and the diagram of movement timing and driving current.
Comparison of previous five (5) switch movements timing and driving power current with the baseline.
Fuse switch database from CBTC/ATS/SSI to ensure the switch name, nomenclature, and location consistent with different operating systems.

Benefits:

Support predictive maintenance to prevent major delays.
Reduce maintenance costs with condition-based maintenance and part replacement.
No additional cost to build a new switch monitoring system.
Rapid deployment with the available CBTC/SSI/AWS event data.
High system/data availability guaranteed by the existing available and highly reliable CBTC/SSI/AWS event data.
Nearly zero interruption to the operation such as field/track access, equipment access etc.