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.

Challenge
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."

Solution
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."

Result
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."