Fiber-optic tram vehicle detector

Abstract

This article describes a compact trackside low-cost measuring sensor with basic advantages such as immunity to electromagnetic interference and ability to remotely evaluate information (the tested distance was 3000 m). The proposed sensor is constructed to detect vibration-acoustic responses caused by tram vehicles. The sensor was tested in real tram traffic. Over a period of six months, a total of 1435 tram vehicles were recorded (different types of tram vehicles) with 100 % detection success. The massive expansion of optical cables along the railways provides our system could be directly connected to as well as being remotely monitored and evaluated.