Rail traffic in passenger miles is projected to increase by 100% over the next 30 years, which presents a considerable challenge for the current infrastructure to perform the regular fluid servicing tasks. Developing robotic autonomous systems for train fluid servicing is a prospect for which no solutions currently exist. Therefore, the economic and technical feasibility of a robotic autonomous system (RAS) to perform several key fluid servicing tasks on passenger train vehicles is investigated. The fluid servicing tasks chosen include those that to a significant degree are repetitive or hazardous for humans to perform, and therefore if performed by a RAS will release service personnel to focus on more suitable tasks. The economic and technical cases presented strongly support the use of a RAS for fluid servicing of trains. Generally available RAS technology has reached a state of development capable of delivering what is required once reliable couplings and fluid hose technologies have been developed for this application. Overall, the findings are that fluid servicing capacity will at least double for around 15% of the cost of an equivalent manual servicing facility, which represents a substantially attractive business case. There will be modest technical challenges to be overcome that will add unknown cost elements such as modifications to vehicle fluid ports for RAS compatibility, and development of long power hoses.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Economic and technical feasibility of a robotic autonomous system for train fluid servicing



    Publication date :

    2020-01-01



    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    DDC:    629



    Economic and technical feasibility of a robotic autonomous system for train fluid servicing

    Atherton, Mark / Hill, Stuart / Harrison, David et al. | SAGE Publications | 2020


    Feasibility of Robotic Autonomous System for Train Fluid Servicing

    Atherton M / Hill SA / Harrison DJ et al. | BASE | 2017

    Free access

    AUTONOMOUS ROBOTIC DEVICE FOR SERVICING BUILDINGS

    NICHOLLS OLIVER | European Patent Office | 2019

    Free access

    Robotic servicing system

    APOSTOLIDES JOHN K | European Patent Office | 2025

    Free access

    ROBOTIC SERVICING SYSTEM

    APOSTOLIDES JOHN K | European Patent Office | 2021

    Free access