Railreader-MT' Multi-RFID-System Supports High Availability And Safety In Railway Networks

摘要

Scope of this paper is the description of an multi technology based RFID system for automatic wagon identification to support keeping the technical status of railway cars at a high level. Maintenance effort for wagon holders and train operators can minimized, stopping trains for checking the cars can be avoided and last not least the infrastructure will be less worn out thus minimizing maintenance effort and track closures and maximizing throughput and availability of track resources. To meet this goals, measurements of wayside train monitoring stations, checking the technical conditions of a wagon when passing by, must be collected and correctly allocated to the specific wagon, its axle or wheel. Using radio frequency for identification (RFID) is an good and cost efficient technology solution for doing that. To handle the several relevant RFID technologies used in the railway transportation sector, the described Multitech RFID reader system was developed which is able to identify a wagon even it uses onboard devices of different RFID technology (passive/active) and from different suppliers. This can motivate the wagon owners or operators to take the investments for the RFID identification device mounted on the wagons. In this way, also the wayside located identification readers, which are to be financed by the infrastructure operator are can be operated very cost efficient. All together, this results in better safety due to early maintenance of rolling stock and therefore better technical status of wagons in the railway network, less exception management and less maintenance effort on wagons and also network infrastructure.