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Rockfall Monitoring

Rockfall Monitoring by L.B. Foster uses LiDAR to accurately detect rocks or debris that would obstruct the safe travel of the train in areas prone to rockfall landslide hazards.

rockfall monitoring LiDAR.

Rockfall Monitoring is a revolutionary system that uses LiDAR technology to detect rocks and hazardous obstacles on or near the tracks and can drop a signal remotely.

Our revolutionary system uses high-resolution LiDAR technology to provide continuous, real-time monitoring and alerts, safeguarding both the right of way and rolling stock. Rockfall Monitoring is just one of the comprehensive track monitoring solutions offered by L.B. Foster.

How Does Rockfall Monitoring Work?

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology is an advanced remote sensing method that uses laser pulses to measure distances and create high-resolution maps of the environment. 

LiDAR sensors continuously emit laser pulses to detect the precise size and position of rocks and other hazardous obstacles on the right of way in rockfall-prone areas.

This real-time monitoring system provides accurate, immediate alerts to rail operators about potential hazards, reducing the need for manual inspections and enhancing overall safety by automating hazard detection and response.

Ordering and More Information

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Rockfall Monitoring Key Features and Benefits

High-Resolution LiDAR Scanners

  • Precise Detection: Accurately determines rock size and position.

  • Real-Time Alerts: Instantly notifies rail operators of hazardous conditions.

  • Automatic Responses: Controls nearby signals, alerts maintenance crews, and initiates customer responses upon detecting rock fall events.

Enhanced Safety and Reliability

  • Continuous Monitoring: Real-time, 24/7 rockfall monitoring with advanced detection algorithms.

  • Sensor Redundancy: Safety-critical with full sensor redundancy for reliable performance.

  • Reduced Maintenance: Lower maintenance and false positive rates compared to traditional slide fences.

  • Safety Improvements: Eliminates dangerous inspections and repair work, enhancing overall safety.

System Integration

  • Relay Outputs: Simplifies signal integration with existing railway systems.

  • Ruggedized Housing: Durable LiDAR housing with redundant overlapping scan fields.

  • Transient Object Elimination: Reduces false alarms by eliminating transient objects.

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Comprehensive Data Management

Our rockfall monitoring system features sophisticated data management software, capturing and storing event data for detailed analysis. This intelligence helps build detailed profiles of rockfall events, allowing operators to identify patterns and take preventative actions.

Rockfall Monitoring Technology Installation Overview

  • LiDAR Technology: Sensors placed approximately 90 feet apart along the track provide overlapping and redundant scan coverage.

  • Detection Zone: Typically, 6 feet from the track center in either direction, triggering alarms for rocks within this area.

  • Control System: Processes incoming data and controls track condition indicators, housed in a signal house.

  • Camera Integration: PTZ camera system captures images of alarm events, providing visual confirmation of hazards.

Case Study

Rockfall monitoring with a LIDAR optical fence

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Questions Answered

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Ordering and More Information

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🇺🇸 United States

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