A Case Study of Nigerian railway, at the moment Nigerian railway is functioning at a barest minimal level due to the low operational speed in some cases, non ready availability and security threats. The population of Nigeria is over 200million therefore rail transport is an essential means of transportation that should be given attention. Most Nigerian roads are currently in bad states rendering movement of freights and passengers almost impassable. Rail transport ability to movement mass passengers and accommodate heavy volume of goods stand tall as a world wide advantage.
Railway monitoring systems with their advantages and limitations:
Track Condition Monitoring Systems (TCMS)Advantages: Real-time detection, predictive maintenance, cost-effective, high accuracy. Limitations: High initial costs, complex data analysis, and power issues in remote areas.
Rolling Stock Monitoring Advantages: Improves safety, extends asset lifespan, reduces downtime. Limitations: High data volume, expensive setup, environmental interference.
Automated Visual Inspection Systems Advantages: Non-intrusive, detailed imaging, reduces human error. Limitations: Weather dependency, high computational needs, data storage issues.
Rail Stress Monitoring Systems Advantages: Prevents rail buckling, reliable, continuous monitoring. Limitations: Frequent calibration, costly, localized data range.
Overhead Line Monitoring Systems Advantages: Preventive maintenance, improves energy efficiency, early fault detection. Limitations: Expensive installation, sensor maintenance, weather-dependent.
Train Control and Signaling Systems (ETCS, PTC)Advantages: Enhances safety, increases capacity, real-time data. Limitations: High cost, complex integration, data latency.
Railway Asset Management Systems Advantages: Comprehensive monitoring, centralized data, cost savings. Limitations: Cybersecurity risks, interoperability issues, data overload.