On Time Communication System to Monitor the Gap Formed Between Main Rail and Switch Rail

Deadline: 2019-03-27
Award: INR 5,00,000
Open to: Everyone*

There are around 500 points and crossings on the rail tracks spread all over our plant. The points and crossing are used for switching movement of rolling stock from one track line to another. Out of these 500, manual operation takes place in 80% and the main challenge lies on these manually operated points.

Sometimes due to improper operation of lever box handle, or wrong switching from local semi-automated points by ground crew members, a gap is created between the main rail and switch rail. By overlooking this gap, if ground crew gives clearance to the loco operator to move forward on the points and crossing area, the wheel flange will enter through this gap and derailment of rolling stock will take place at a point where gauge distance is more than 1676 mm. Due to a derailment, rolling stock movement in inbound, outbound and intra-plant logistics gets affected. Supply chain gets disrupted in raw material and finished shipment areas which affect the overall production.