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Grant: Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives

Queen's University at Kingston

$285,449.00

AI for rail infrastructure thermal stress condition assessment

FY 2020-21 · 2020-04-17

Summary
In Canada, thermal stress buildup due to climatic changes can lead to failure of rail structures. Currently, there are no techniques available to continuously monitor the stress state in a rail over long distances. Distributed fibre optic sensing is a promising solution. Due to the extent of rail track infrastructure in Canada (45,000 km), the method of sensor install must be automated. In addition, to manage the immense volumes of measurement data as well as implement predicative analytical strategies, artificial intelligence (AI) approaches are the essential. The proposed research will address these needs through a combination of lab and field research, including the development of AI-based methods, to account for temperature and detect critical rail stresses, and a robotic fibre installation prototype. The project outcome will be a prototype digital twin that can eventually be used by industry collaborators for use in the maintenance and management of their rail networks.
Program
Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives
Location
Kingston|Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Business Number
107868705
Type
Grant
Source
Proactive Disclosure - Grants and Contributions

Amendments

Each version of the agreement as published, oldest first, with its total as of that version. The amount above is the latest.

AmendmentDateFiscal YearTotal
02020-04-172020-21$285,449.00
12020-04-172020-21$285,449.00

As published

Additional Information
This agreement has been amended 1 time(s). The end date of this agreement has been modified by 365 days.
Additional Information (French)
Cet accord a été modifié 1 fois. La date de fin du présent accord a été changé de 365 jours.
Agreement End Date
2024-03-31
Agreement Number
948096
Agreement Start Date
2020-04-17
Agreement Title
AI for rail infrastructure thermal stress condition assessment
Agreement Title (French)
IA au service de l’évaluation des contraintes thermiques dans les infrastructures ferroviaires
Agreement Type
Grant
Agreement Value
$285,449.00
Amendment Date
2022-03-10
Amendment Number
1
Description
In Canada, thermal stress buildup due to climatic changes can lead to failure of rail structures. Currently, there are no techniques available to continuously monitor the stress state in a rail over long distances. Distributed fibre optic sensing is a promising solution. Due to the extent of rail track infrastructure in Canada (45,000 km), the method of sensor install must be automated. In addition, to manage the immense volumes of measurement data as well as implement predicative analytical strategies, artificial intelligence (AI) approaches are the essential. The proposed research will address these needs through a combination of lab and field research, including the development of AI-based methods, to account for temperature and detect critical rail stresses, and a robotic fibre installation prototype. The project outcome will be a prototype digital twin that can eventually be used by industry collaborators for use in the maintenance and management of their rail networks.
Description (French)
Au Canada, les contraintes thermiques engendrées par les variations de température au fil des saisons peuvent provoquer des défaillances au niveau des rails. Il n’existe actuellement aucune technique permettant de surveiller en continu l’état de contrainte des rails sur de longues distances. Les réseaux de capteurs à fibre optique constituent une solution prometteuse. Compte tenu de l’étendue du réseau ferroviaire au Canada (45 000 km), l’installation de tels capteurs doit cependant être automatisée. Il est de plus essentiel de faire appel à l’IA pour gérer l’immense quantité de données générées et mettre en œuvre des stratégies d’analyse prédictive. Le projet proposé visera à répondre à ces besoins par la mise en œuvre de travaux de recherche en laboratoire et sur le terrain, notamment la mise au point de méthodes basées sur l’IA pour tenir compte de la température et détecter les contraintes critiques imposées aux rails ainsi que la fabrication d’un robot prototype d’installation des fibres. Le projet aboutira à un jumeau numérique prototype qui pourra être utilisé par nos partenaires industriels pour la maintenance et la gestion de leurs réseaux ferroviaires.
Expected Results
In the short term, anticipated outcomes will be strengthened collaborations across industry, academia, and government to support research excellence. In the medium term, anticipated outcomes will be the development of new and potentially disruptive technologies with collaborators. In the long term, find collaborative solutions to public policy challenges and create stronger innovation systems.
Expected Results (French)
À court terme, les résultats prévus seront des collaborations renforcées entre l'industrie, le milieu universitaire et le gouvernement pour soutenir l'excellence en recherche. À moyen terme, les résultats attendus seront le développement de nouvelles technologies potentiellement perturbatrices avec des collaborateurs. À long terme, trouver des solutions collaboratives aux défis des politiques publiques et créer des systèmes d'innovation plus solides.
Federal Riding
Kingston and the Islands
Federal Riding (French)
Kingston et les Îles
Federal Riding Number
35044
NAICS Code
541710
Organization Code
nrc-cnrc
Organization
National Research Council Canada | Conseil national de recherches Canada
Program Name
Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives
Program Name (French)
Programme de collaboration en science, en technologie et en innovation - Initiatives de collaboration en R-D
Program Purpose
Collaborate on multiparty research and development programs to catalyze transformative, high-risk, high-reward research with the potential for game-changing scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs in priority areas.
Program Purpose (French)
Collaborer à des programmes multipartites de recherche-développement dans le but de profiter de la synergie entre la recherche transformatrice à haut risque et à haut rendement et le potentiel de découvertes scientifiques et de percées technologiques révolutionnaires dans des secteurs d’intervention prioritaires.
Recipient Business Number
107868705
Recipient City
Kingston|Kingston
Recipient Country
CA
Recipient Legal Name
Queen's University at Kingston
Recipient Postal Code
K7L 3N6
Recipient Province or Territory
ON
Recipient Type
S
Reference Number
172-2020-2021-Q1-948096