Metro Magazine, June 2017

A new image enhancing technology has been adopted by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Systems MTS rail division that provides pinpoint accuracy of the agencys 106 miles of track and more clarity about the work ahead even before employees step foot on the right of way The word is now spreading to other departments that are finding it useful as well Its called Roadview Workstation a technology driven software solution developed through a laser guided mapping and detection technology called LiDAR Roadview allows MTS to find map and categorize everything along the right of way Its helped our track team analyze work that needs to be done faster and more efficiently said Paul Jablonski MTS CEO Its similar to Googles Street View system which offers users panoramic views from on the ground positions along many streets and neighborhoods in the world MTS hired Mandli Communications to take the Google Street View idea from the streets to the rails Using a front mounted camera on a light rail vehicle that traveled on all three lines a panorama of stitched images consisting of the entire MTS right of way was created MTS needed to create an accurate GIS inventory of all of our trackside assets said MTS Enterprise Business Solutions Manager Robert Borowski Our right of way covers approximately 54 linear miles This was needed for the implementation of the agencys Enterprise Asset Management system which in turn was developed to meet the needs for state of good repair in accordance with MAP 21 he explained I had used aerial based LIDAR in the past to develop elevation models I then heard of some state DOTs using ground mounted LIDAR to monitor road conditions Borowski said of how the idea came to him for using the technology After seeing Mandli Communications at the ESRI Conference with a vehicle mounted solution I struck up a conversation with them about a potential for a rail vehicle mounted solution ADDITIONAL TECH USES Big proponents and users of Roadview are the MTS Track and Wayside departments Theres a lot of ground to cover on three light rail lines operating through seven different cities And its a challenge to keep up with inventory i e 87 crossing gates 115 miles of catenary wire 63 traction substations to thousands of fasteners nearly 300000 cross ties insulated joints switches and much more Track condition is primarily monitored by visual inspections so its important to have these eyes and ears on the ground But its also time consuming and cumbersome Recording specific locations through the systems GPS feature speeds up the visual inspections maintains a strict accounting of assets and helps staff understand when and where items need to be replaced It really comes in handy to pin down locations using GPS coordinates with 8 mETRO mAGAZINE JUNE 2017 metro magazine com tech report San Diego MTS adopts LiDAR technology to enhance track assessment The Roadview Workstation is similar to Googles Street View system which offers users panoramic views from on the ground positions It really comes in handy to pin down locations using GPS coordinates with contract work said Fred Byle MTS superintendent wayside maintenance pictured using the system