L.B. Foster's WILD IV Case Study: Qualifying the Benefits of Wheel Impact Load Detection
- Mar 05, 2026
- RailTotal Track Monitoring
Forces at the wheel-rail interface are a key consideration for railway networks. For decades, railroads have utilized L.B. Foster's WILD technology to measure forces at the wheel-rail interface.
The WILD IV utilizes an array of strain gauges installed directly on the rail to monitor for high impacts. These high impacts are indicative of hazardous conditions such as wheel defects and improper loading. If left in service, repeated impacts from these conditions can cause damage and premature failure of critical track infrastructure, and in some cases can lead to derailment.
L.B. Foster's WILD IV Case Study reviews industry research and historical data to examine how WILD technology has been used to effectively reduce high impacts, lowering the frequency of costly incidents and extending the service life of track infrastructure.
Use the download link below to read the entire case study.
