- Survey time 35-45% faster (weeks → days per subdivision)
- Detection 60-80% more encroachments vs. manual patrol
- Costs 40-55% lower with targeted crew dispatch
Outcomes
RailGuard vs. Traditional Patrol
| Capability | Capability | Traditional Patrol | RailGuard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage per day | 20-40 track miles | 100+ track miles | |
| Detection consistency | Varies by inspector | Repeatable AI-based | |
| Documentation | Manual notes | Automated GPS + photo | |
| Seasonal tracking | Annual memory | Quantified baselines | |
| Work order generation | Manual entry | Direct CMMS integration | |
| FRA audit prep | Days of compilation | Export on demand |
Deployment flexibility: Same AI models deploy on hi-rail, wayside, or locomotive platforms.
Technical Specifications
What it does
- Vegetation encroachment detection with GPS mapping
- Structure Gauge & Clearance Monitoring — Monitor infrastructure against AAR Plate B-K standards, catenary wire proximity, and bridge/tunnel profiles for high-wide load planning
- Seasonal Intelligence — Single-scan detection flags everything; baseline comparison flags what matters. Establish seasonal profiles to track growth rates, distinguish normal change from abnormal encroachment, verify herbicide effectiveness, and detect storm damage via pre/post comparison
- Work order generation with severity scoring and priority routing
- GIS layer export for corridor planning and maintenance scheduling
How it works
Data Capture
Deploy cameras on hi-rail vehicles, wayside mounts, or locomotives. Capture corridor imagery at up to 40 mph with 4K resolution.
Edge Processing
NVIDIA Jetson processes imagery in real-time. No cloud upload required — detections stay on your network with full data sovereignty.
AI Detection
Models trained on railroad imagery identify vegetation encroachment, structure gauge violations, overhead clearance issues, and crossing sight obstructions.
Baseline Comparison
First-season surveys establish seasonal profiles. Subsequent surveys flag deviation — catching new growth and verifying clearing effectiveness.
Work Order Generation
Detections route to Maximo or SAP PM with GPS coordinates, photos, severity scores, and recommended actions for field crews.
GIS Visualization
Violation layers push to Esri ArcGIS for map-based corridor planning, trend analysis, and maintenance scheduling.
Data Capture
Deploy cameras on hi-rail vehicles, wayside mounts, or locomotives. Capture corridor imagery at up to 40 mph with 4K resolution.
Edge Processing
NVIDIA Jetson processes imagery in real-time. No cloud upload required — detections stay on your network with full data sovereignty.
AI Detection
Models trained on railroad imagery identify vegetation encroachment, structure gauge violations, overhead clearance issues, and crossing sight obstructions.
Baseline Comparison
First-season surveys establish seasonal profiles. Subsequent surveys flag deviation — catching new growth and verifying clearing effectiveness.
Work Order Generation
Detections route to Maximo or SAP PM with GPS coordinates, photos, severity scores, and recommended actions for field crews.
GIS Visualization
Violation layers push to Esri ArcGIS for map-based corridor planning, trend analysis, and maintenance scheduling.
Use Cases
Class I & Major Freight
Challenge
Thousands of corridor miles require continuous vegetation monitoring at scale
Solution
Mainline corridor monitoring at scale, pre-double-stack clearance verification, supplement LiDAR surveys with continuous CV-based monitoring between geometry car runs
Regional & Short-Line
Challenge
Limited MOW budgets and no dedicated inspection equipment
Solution
Cost-effective alternative to geometry cars, hi-rail deployment on existing fleet, combine with RailAurex for comprehensive MOW coverage across your network
Passenger Rail & Transit
Challenge
Passenger safety requires strict clearance compliance at platforms and crossings
Solution
Platform clearance monitoring, catenary vegetation proximity alerts, crossing sightline maintenance for FRA compliance
Industrial & Port Rail
Challenge
High-wide intermodal loads require verified clearance routes
Solution
Intermodal clearance verification, yard vegetation control, high-wide load route planning with clearance mapping
What you get
- Encroachment detection model trained on multi-season corridor imagery
- GIS violation layer with heatmap and severity classification
- CMMS adapter for automated work order creation (Maximo, SAP PM)
- Scheduled scan report generator with compliance audit trail
Deployments & integrations
- Mobile (Hi-Rail Vehicle) — Survey corridors on patrol schedule with edge compute unit in vehicle. Ideal for regional railroads and targeted corridor surveys
- Fixed (Wayside) — Permanent camera installations at high-risk locations for continuous monitoring. Ideal for grade crossings, bridge approaches, and known problem areas
- Revenue Service — Cameras mounted on operating locomotives. Survey network during normal operations with no dedicated track time required
- All options include Jetson/x86 edge processing and Esri ArcGIS integration with linear referencing support
Security & governance
- On-prem deployment for Class I railroads with data sovereignty requirements
- Role-based access controls for field crews, dispatchers, and managers
- Audit trail for all violation detections and work order assignments
Related
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Frequently Asked Questions
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