Publication

details

Validation of wheel flat detection and characterization using wayside data

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Authors

V. Meulenberg, A. Laurell Håkansson, J. Westerberg, W. Birk (Predge); M. Leiste (VTG Rail Europe GmbH)

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Published date

2025-11-17

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Venue/publisher

International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA) Conference 2025

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Keywords

Wheel flats, detection, length estimation, validation, field data

Summary

This white paper presents a comprehensive validation of an analytics solution designed to detect and estimate wheel flat lengths using Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD) data. The solution supports condition-based and predictive maintenance strategies for railway operations. A large-scale study involving over 5,000 wheels was conducted across multiple workshops and field locations in Europe. The validation process integrated digital inspection data with analytics outcomes, demonstrating high accuracy and operational viability. The findings support the deployment of this solution to improve reliability, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance safety in rail freight transport.

Example for multiple wheel flats
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Citation

Meulenberg, V., Laurell Håkansson, A., Westerberg, J., Birk, W., Leiste, M., (2025), Validation of wheel flat detection and characterization using wayside data, In Proceedings of the 2025, International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA) Conference, 17-21 Nov 2025, Colorado Springs, CO, USA.