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Eurailscout is a German-based, multinational company specializing
in rail track inspection and measurement. Co-founded by German
and Dutch companies - both of whom are leaders in track construction
and measurement in their home countries - Eurailscout operates
several measuring cars (track geometry, ultrasonic) as well
as camera monitoring equipment. The Company's clients include
railroad, track construction and maintenance organizations
based in Germany, The Netherlands and various European countries.
These companies all require critical track quality data for
the maintenance of existing rail tracks, as well as for the
construction of new lines.
Eurailscout used to depend on a mechanical system to determine
track geometry. "Our primary goal was to gain market
share by increasing measuring speed and accuracy while at
the same time avoiding restrictions from several national
railroads when using conventional contact measuring equipment
at high speeds," explains Hans Haupt, Technical Leader,
Eurailscout. "To accomplish this, we needed a non-contact
track geometry system that would not touch or interfere with
any part of the rail. The new system also needed to be more
compact, accurate and reliable, compared to what we were currently
using."
The solution was the POS TG from Applanix. The system's Integrated
Intertial/GPS technology is designed specifically for Track
Geometry applications. It provides extremely accurate position
and orientation data using a non-contact optical gauge measuring
system.
Eurailscout first heard good reports about Applanix' POS
technology from colleagues at DLR, Germany's Aerospace Agency.
"Our state-of-the-art railcar comprises eight different
measuring systems and a network of 15 computers," explains
Hans. "POS TG's ability to provide accurate, real-time
distance-based output of track geometry measurements made
it a critical component in the successful development of our
new railcar."
Eurailscout was the first European company to use this unique
system, which allowed them to offer their clients increased
accuracy in track geometry measurement, and increased safety
and security for their client's railroads. The new system
has improved accuracy for a growing number of European high-speed
lines. "With no cumbersome mechanical devices contacting
the rails, there is less chance of derailment," says
Hans. "The bottom line is that our clients are able to
achieve far more precise measurements with POS TG. Applanix'
POS TG is helping us get on track to be more competitive and
more profitable."
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