Dual-mode rail-elevated tram cleaning vehicle

With the development of urban rail transit, the safe operation of trams has become increasingly important. Factors affecting tram safety, such as gauge, the levelness of the two rails, and debris in the groove, can severely impact safe operation. This is because as operating time increases and natural environmental factors come into play, the gauge and the levelness of the two rails may change. Debris is inevitably introduced into the grooves, which can severely affect the safe operation of trams.

It is urgent to develop equipment for monitoring and eliminating factors that affect the safe operation of trams. Our company, in collaboration with Jinan University, has developed a track inspection and cleaning vehicle for trams that effectively addresses this issue. The vehicle's undercarriage is based on a heavy-duty Sinotruk truck, upgraded with hydraulic and guidance systems to become a dual-mode road-rail vehicle, allowing easy movement up and down tracks and along them. A laser rangefinder is then installed on the vehicle, which can measure track spacing and unevenness as it moves, promptly detecting potential hazards. Encoders are mounted on the wheels (to measure the distance traveled by the vehicle), enabling the recording of track spacing and unevenness exceeding standards, facilitating timely identification and resolution of safety risks. Additionally, a high-pressure water jet and vacuum cleaning system are installed on the vehicle. As it moves along the tracks, the high-pressure water jet blows debris out of the groove, while the vacuum cleaner at the opposite end promptly removes the debris into a trash bin, thereby eliminating safety hazards associated with tram operation.

This vehicle is at the forefront of domestic technology and is now in mass production.