Automatic identification The GOTCHA system uses the TagMaster RFID system to identify each wagon or carriage automatically. An ID-tag is fixed on each side of every carriage, ensuring that individual wheel pairs can be identified. This guarantees that the measurement data can accurately be attributed to each carriage as it passes the measurement station. Safety enhancements available A maintenance strategy based on continuous measurements provides operators with an enhanced safety level for the rail bound transport system. As the system can distinguish between different types of defects it can be used as a rejection criterion.

GOTCHA - wheel flat detection and axle load measurement system

The GOTCHA system GOTCHA is a complete system for measuring wheel defects and axle loads of trains as they pass by at high speed. The system uses a fibre optic sensor which is placed in a robust metal housing, mounted under the rail with snap-on clips. The sensor detects vertical deflections of the rail due to the passage of trains. In a system box along-side the track, the optical signal from the sensor is converted into an electrical signal that represents the characteristics of the wheel defect and the axle load. Through an advanced processing method of the static and dynamic loads on the infrastructure, wheel defects are determined from the sensor signal.Thanks to the use of optical light in the detection sensor, the system is completely immune to electromagnetic interference. A detection sensor is easily installed and does not hinder track maintenance machines. For weight measurements, automatic calibration is assured through the identification of locomotives with pre-defined weights. The GOTCHA system is easy to implement in existing processes and provides an objective quality measurement system, which is important for improving maintenance strategies. The system is highly reliable and requires only one service check period per year. Easy to install The sensors are mounted under the rail and need no decommissioning of the track. Because of the use of optical technology there is no electrical connection with the rail and the system is insensitive to electro-magnetic interference. The identification system from TagMaster consists of an ID-tag, which is easily mounted on the train. The tag readers are installed on the trackside. Rail road infrastructure charges Operators of railroads have established that the cost of operation is correlated to the number of train kilometres, the weight and the wheel quality of the train. As a method to derive the future charge per train, the GOTCHA system gives positive identification of each vehicle together with an accurate method of measuring defects as well as static and dynamic loads. Reduced wear on the infrastructure By using the GOTCHA system, axle loads and wheel quality measurements ensure that defect vehicles are in use at a minimum time after detection. Through condition-based maintenance the reaction time for wheel re-profiling is made shorter and the wear on railroad tracks is dramatically reduced. Improvement in maintenance operations The measurement system forms an integrated part of the wheel re-profiling process in the workshops. Wheel quality and types of defects can be detected as the train is travelling at normal speed. The system can distinguish between types of defects and results in increased maintenance efficiency. Each maintenance shop has the capability to check the database for registered defects such as eccentricity, squaring, flats etc. Based on the measurements, accurate rejection criteria can be implemented.