3d stereo reconstruction of train paths for supporting maintenance operations

Railway infrastructure maintenance is a critical activity for ensuring safe train operations, due to the constant mechanical stress and wear and tear that crucial parts of the infrastructure such as rail and catenary undergo under use. Several methodologies and systems have been devised for diagnosing and prevent anomalies and minimize safety risks, that measure geometrical parameters and assess the way the infrastructure interacts with the train. While those techniques help at identifying anomalies when they occur, sometimes they are not able to provide enough evidence on the reasons behind the failure. A visual inspection can surely help in assessing the causes of failure, especially when they happen during train operations, without introducing any disruption to the service to schedule a specific check with a visit to the site. This work investigates the design of a stereo vision system that can be mounted on the top of the locomotive itself.