SPATRA’s Rail Use Case: Enhancing Safety and Reliability through Satellite Data

The SPATRA project is dedicated to advancing railway safety and operational reliability by leveraging Copernicus satellite data to monitor and forecast temperature impacts on rail infrastructure. This initiative addresses the critical challenge of track deformation due to temperature fluctuations, which can compromise safety and disrupt services.

Key Components of the Rail Use Case:

• Rail Temperature Surveillance: Continuous monitoring of track temperatures and surrounding environmental conditions using Earth observation data. This real-time surveillance enables the detection of potential risks, such as track buckling, allowing for prompt responses to emerging issues.

• Predictive Maintenance: Utilizing machine learning algorithms to forecast temperature changes and evaluate the risk of track deformation. By predicting these risks, maintenance can be scheduled proactively, preventing failures and minimizing service interruptions.

Expected Outcomes:

• Improved Safety: Early detection of infrastructure vulnerabilities leads to timely interventions, reducing the likelihood of accidents caused by track failures.

• Operational Efficiency: Preemptive maintenance strategies decrease unplanned downtime, ensuring consistent and reliable rail services for passengers and freight.

• Cost Reduction: Targeted maintenance based on predictive analytics optimizes resource allocation, potentially lowering maintenance expenses.

By integrating satellite data with advanced analytics, SPATRA aims to transform rail infrastructure management, setting new standards for safety and efficiency in the railway sector.