Modern Wheel Detection and Axle Counting

Growing conurbations, increasing car park prices and not least rising fuel prices are pushing trams and underground railways increasingly to the forefront of urban and suburban rail transportation infrastructures. Under these conditions we must assume that urban and suburban rail transportation use will increase considerably in the next few years. The World Association of Public Transport UITP believes that urban and suburban rail transportation provisions will double by 2025. A clear technological shift from track circuits to wheel detection and axle counting systems can be seen in rail-based urban and suburban rail transportationation systems. New lines and projects are already often equipped with modern axle counting systems, as the benefits of these are clear in terms of functionality and operating costs. This white paper looks at the key features of urban and suburban rail transportation systems. It shows the potential applications of wheel detection and axle counting and provides an overview of the solutions adapted specifically for this segment by Frauscher Sensortechnik GmbH.