Skip to content
Yuliang Zhou

Pages

HomeHome page section
NewsHome page section
ResearchHome page section
PublicationHome page section
TeachingHome page section
StudentsHome page section
ContactHome page section
Prospective Ph.D. StudentsRecruitment details & how to apply

Research

Rail Safety Improvement Through Enhanced Understanding of Ballast and Subgrade InteractionsFederal Railroad Administration (FRA)
Continuous Railroad Track Health Monitoring Using Distributed Fiber Optic SensorMxV Rail University Program
Automated Bridge Inspection and Load Rating Using Low-Cost Sensor NetworksU.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
Under-Tie Support Condition Assessment using Distributed Fiber Optic Strain SensorResearch project
Recycled Plastics Railroad Ties Fatigue PerformanceResearch project
↑↓navigate↵open13 results

Continuous Railroad Track Health Monitoring Using Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor

Sponsor: MxV Rail University Program

Overview

Project Description

This project explores the use of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) with existing fiber-optic cables for continuous railroad track health monitoring. By combining fiber-optic sensing, a validated 3D dynamic track model, and data-driven signal analysis, the project aims to detect changes in track structural condition from train-induced ground vibrations. Numerical simulations and field tests at TTC showed that different track conditions produce distinct rainfall plots and dispersion signatures, demonstrating the potential of DAS for scalable, cost-effective, condition-based maintenance of railroad infrastructure.