Project RICARES

Rail infrastructure forms the backbone of a modern and sustainable transportation system. However, increasing loads, progressive wear and tear, and the demands of digitalization call for innovative solutions to ensure safety and reliability over the long term. This is exactly where the RICARES research project (“Railway Infrastructure Condition Assessment using REmote and Geometry Sensor Net”) comes in.

RICARES is developing cost-effective systems that enable continuous and precise monitoring of the condition of bridges and track structures. Using state-of-the-art sensor technology, radar interferometry, and automated data processing, the project lays the foundation for safe, durable, and cost-effective rail infrastructure. The goal is to optimize maintenance, extend the service life of built assets, and sustainably improve safety in rail transportation.

Project objectives

RICARES aims to develop a new generation of cost-effective, high-precision monitoring systems for rail infrastructure. These systems are intended to:

• sustainably improve the safety and reliability of bridges and track structures,
• reduce maintenance costs,
• and drive the digitalization and automation of maintenance processes.

A key focus is the identification of track and rail defects, for example by monitoring rail sagging or tie movement as trains pass by. Such precise measurements help identify potential hazards early on and make maintenance processes more efficient.

To achieve these objectives, RICARES relies on an interdisciplinary approach that combines innovative technologies and proven processes. The focus is on cost-effective sensor technologies and intelligent data processing that together enable precise and continuous condition monitoring.

The project helps improve the safety and efficiency of rail infrastructure, particularly with regard to increasing speeds and loads, as well as the development of high-speed rail lines. A major emphasis of the project is the commercial viability of the solutions developed.