Experimental measurement of track irregularities using a scaled track recording vehicle and Kalman filtering techniques

The actual trend of railway industry on track surveying is heading up the development fast automated methods for continuous monitoring quality. This paper presents a model-based methodology estimation lateral and vertical irregularities from different sensors mounted Track Recording Vehicle (TRV): an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), gauge sensor position encoder. proposed methodology, based Kalman filtering technique, allows accurate measurement irregularities, without use total station (which usually makes process very slow). method has been validated through experimental campaign carried out 90 m long 1:10, scaled facility TRV at University Seville. metres operation velocity V = 0.7 m/s in only two minutes. results have compared with previous mentioned using manual means, showing good agreement: errors lower than mm short wavelength range D1, which most influential dynamic behaviour vehicle. Additionally, obtained analysed ranges, according to standards.