Are there any systems currently in use for measuring rail temperatures?
If so, what are their major deficiencies? ANSWER: There are not currently any commercial systems in use for measuring rail temperatures from a moving platform. • QUESTION: Why is it important to record this temperature information? ANSWER: There are a few reasons for wanting to obtain a continuous, high-speed rail temperature measurement system. Most fundamentally, it would allow a locomotive engineer to detect an unusually high rail temperature and take the necessary actions, such as reducing speed to potentially avoid a buckling situation. Other reasons for wanting rail temperature data is to modify / improve current rail temperature prediction models that are being developed. The measured rail temperatures could serve as a means of correcting and refining the rail temperature prediction models. Finally, many sensor technologies are sensitive to changes in temperature. Many of these technologies may need to be temperature-compensated if they are ever used in close proximity to the ra
