BallastSaver

Geotechnical Services

Inspection & Optimisation
- Geotechnical Services
  - GPR
  - LIDAR
  - BallastSaver

BallastSaver

Take the guesswork out of determining your ballast needs with BallastSaver^®. This pioneering technology enables you to deliver only the ballast you need right where it’s needed. Using advanced LiDAR, BallastSaver can analyse your existing ballast profile and compare it to an idealised profile, identifying any and all ballast deficiencies in the process.

By pinpointing your ballast needs, you can remove subjectivity from your ballast program. Now you can easily determine the number of ballast cars you need over a given area or prioritise the unloading of a car that’s already on site to dump ballast only in the most critical areas.

BallastSaver can work in tandem with our GateSync^® system to automate the ballast delivery process. Automated delivery minimised the amount of ballast you need, reduces the manpower needed to get the job done, and avoids tying up your track longer than necessary.

BallastSaver can now be integrated onto the same hi-rail vehicle as our Aurora^® track inspection system to provide a comprehensive view of the condition of your track in a single pass – from deficiencies in the ballast profile to flaws in your individual sleepers and rails. With the complete picture in front of you, you can plan out your capital maintenance programs with confidence.

Localised Ballast Surveying

BallastSaver surveys calculate ballast deficiencies in the cribs, shoulders and side slopes of the ballast section. It even takes into account increased shoulder requirements in curves. That improves the accuracy and efficiency of ballast placement and allows you to minimise the amount of ballast you need to purchase.

Ballast Program System Prioritisation

Using performance-based weighting factors, BallastSaver can prioritise your ballast needs to address vertical, lateral and longitudinal track performance requirements. Easily create 16- to 32-kilometer, section-based ballast programs that take into account curvature, high-buckle risk locations, high-speed track and much more.

Ballast End of Sleeper Defects

Missing ballast at the end of sleepers is a particularly problematic situation that can cause lateral stability issues. BallastSaver uses a 6-meter rolling average to identify critical areas and flags them with coordinates to expedite repairs.

Grade Crossing Profile and Clearance Envelope Assessment

BallastSaver provides added ability to measure the profile of grade crossings as well as to assess clearance envelope violations, including potential clearance violations that may result from a track lift.

Hyrail truck
Uses a 6-meter rolling average to identify critical areas
Flags location with coordinates for easy identification
Accurate, repeatable results
Helps prioritise ballast placement based on performance requirements
Can create 16- to 32-kilometer, section-based ballast programs
Optimises the amount of ballast needed
Meets industry inspection requirements
Utilises LiDAR to detect ballast deficiencies
Encoder based system to track location
Collects data at 48 kilometers per hour and data is processed in house
Can be used as a stand alone service
Provides kilometer by kilometer ballast requirements (ft3 and carload)
Provides a 360 degree FOV for tunnels, trees, etc
Includes ballast required for 25, 50, or 76 millimeter lift, no dump zones, end of sleeper defects, and danger zones.