Health monitoring on ground-based transit systems

Health monitoring is now a norm for many transit applications, including air transport and automobiles. Yet only in recent years have rail and bus operators realised the benefits of health monitoring systems. Health monitoring on ground-based transit applications can be used to: improve fleet performance; maximise fleet utilisation; and reduce maintenance costs. Yet to realise these benefits, a detailed process of data collection, on-line data analysis, information communication and off-line trending must be performed. The development of such a system should not be underestimated. This paper discusses the development process used by Booz Allen and Hamilton to design and implement health monitoring systems for both railway and bus applications. Specific aspects of the needs analysis, detailed design and test/implementation programme are addressed. This paper also reviews the application of health monitors to two specific transit applications, detailing the system performance improvements and maintenance productivity benefits to be realised