The Track IQ Wheel Condition Monitor (WCM) is an innovative and cost-effective trackside system for automated Wheel Condition Monitoring. It is capable of detecting wheel defects including wheel spalls, out of roundness, shelling, flats and surface roughness. At a vehicle level the system provides loading imbalance and overload alerts. The WCM is a hybrid clamp-on system using both accelerometers and strain gauges to give 100% wheel surface coverage and to resolve multiple defects on a wheel
The WCM System consists of an array of clamp-on track-mounted sensors and trackside processors to evaluate and process signals. The system mounts to the standard track structure with no requirement for concrete sleepers. Shielded cabling is used as required for electrified environments. The system is modular and can be replaced in component sections.
Routine track maintenance (e.g. tamping operations) can be undertaken by the customer with no removal of the WCM from the rail required. If necessary, the system can be removed from the rail without Track IQ support. Ongoing maintenance of the WCM system is minimal, requiring only an annual check of the sensor clamps.
Track-mounted arrays are fully electrically insulated and do not compromise signaling or rail monitoring. The WCM arrays are self-compensating to ensure a linear and scaled response in areas of changing track modulus and climate.
