Development of a Track Monitoring System Installed on Trains in Operation and Future Prospects for the System

The track monitoring system installed on trains in operation consists of a device that measures track irregularity and a device that detects failure of track materials. Tests of the system installed on the Keihin-Tohoku Line started in May 2013 and are still ongoing. The system can perceive changes in track irregularity and detect with high probability missing ordinary rail fastenings. As the final goal, the authors aim to introduce the track monitoring system to the lines in the greater Tokyo area as well as JR East as a whole.