Detection of buried services in track

The project seeks to identify opportunities to develop a technological solution which can identify the presence of buried obstructions in advance of core track renewals activities, and will form part of the pre-construction information pack. These obstacles can impede the normal operation of Network Rail’s ballast cleaning system (BCS) or Track Renewals systems (TRS). The location and depth of obstructions which cross under the track or run parallel with it, and may therefore fall within the sub-ground operating envelope of the BCS or TRS, are to be identified. The system may also be employed for conventional track renewal methodologies, where finding buried assets is important.