Smartphones and tablets applications in railways, ride comfort and track quality. Transition zones analysis

Abstract

Measurement process in railways is an expensive and difficult task which involves several steps. In some cases, costs can be reduced by using conventional devices such as smartphone and tablet applications. The following paper presents first a complete revision of the use of these devices in track measurements and secondly, it analyses the methodology to measure ride quality and track monitoring by simplifying it and making it more costeffective. Accelerations were measured inside the train body in a simple and accessible way by using conventional smartphoneś apps. Results showed the feasibility to measure ride comfort, to study the track condition and locate singular points along the track. The proposed methodology tries to determine track monitoring and analyse passenger comfort by using these ‘everyday’ tools to take measurements in an easier, faster and cheapest way. The case studied showed that the acquired data in a track section can be used not only to model some important parameters of track performance but also to model riding comfort, which can help in the assessment of the track maintenance and ride quality. In addition, an alternative, new and simpler way of evaluating passenger riding comfort through vertical accelerations has been formulated, based on the current regulations and guidelines in Spain.