JR Tokai is developing an automatic exterior inspection system for Shinkansen train cars, anticipating enhanced safety.
Cameras and sensors will be used to capture and analyze images of the trains to detect damage or abnormalities, with a dedicated pantograph inspection device also planned.
Reduced reliance on human labor and increased inspection frequency are expected to enhance safety, with full-scale operation targeted for around 2029.
JR Tokai has developed a system that automatically inspects the exterior of Tokaido Shinkansen vehicles using cameras and sensors. It plans to begin verification at the Oi Vehicle Depot in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo in fiscal year 2024.
Currently, inspecting a 16-car formation with a length of 400 meters takes about 50 minutes. Two to four workers visually inspect the roof and undercarriage with measuring equipment to check for damage. Each formation is inspected once every two days, and about 70 formations are inspected per day, requiring about 20 people for this task.
The new system will deploy cameras and sensors in a way that surrounds the vehicles at locations such as the vehicle depot garage entrance. When a vehicle passes through, it will be captured from all directions. A dedicated program analyzes the images and detects if any bolts on the car body are loose or if there are any abnormalities. A device for inspecting the pantograph will be installed at Shinagawa Station. Pantographs are prone to wear and tear because they are in contact with the overhead lines for extended periods during operation to supply electricity to the vehicle.
This system is expected to significantly reduce the reliance on manual inspection and increase the inspection frequency, thereby contributing to enhanced safety. JR Tokai aims to begin full-scale operation around 2029 along with the pantograph inspection device.