A groundbreaking new project using artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionise railway track inspections has been launched by the University of Derby in collaboration with Sperry Rail. The three-year initiative, which has been funded by Innovate UK, aims to enhance the detection of track defects and improve railway maintenance efficiency through AI-based solutions.
The project, which forms part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), will focus on developing AI technologies capable of automatically detecting cracks and other faults in railway tracks, addressing one of the critical challenges facing the rail industry. By integrating AI models into traditional inspection practices, the project seeks to reduce the reliance on manual inspections, ultimately improving the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of railway maintenance processes.
Leading the project is Dr Alaa AlZoubi, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Derby. Dr AlZoubi is confident that the collaboration with Sperry Rail will drive major advances in railway health solutions. He commented, “Sperry Rail are world-leaders in rail health solutions. Our partnership to develop advanced AI for railway surface inspections highlights our commitment to innovation and strong academic-industry collaboration.”
Dr AlZoubi further explained that the project would help to reduce the time and labour currently required for traditional inspection methods. “Existing inspection methods are effective but often time-consuming and resource-heavy. By integrating cutting-edge AI models with railway inspection protocols, we aim to create automated systems capable of data analysis and predictive maintenance. This approach will reduce false detections, minimise service disruptions, and extend the lifespan of railway assets,” he said.
Sperry Rail, known for its expertise in non-destructive testing and rail flaw detection, will combine its extensive industry knowledge with the University of Derby’s advanced AI research capabilities. Bobby Gilbert, Senior Director of Digital Transformation at Sperry Rail, expressed his excitement about the partnership: “We are thrilled to collaborate with the University of Derby on this project. By combining our expertise in rail flaw detection with the University’s cutting-edge AI research, we are confident that this project will significantly enhance our existing technologies and improve rail safety.”
The collaboration follows on from previous successful initiatives between the University of Derby and industry partners, such as the Deep Learning for Engineering Inspection (DL4EI) project with Derby-based Bloc Digital. That project is focused on providing real-time data on the condition of road and rail infrastructure from photographs taken with mobile phones, showcasing the University’s ongoing commitment to driving innovation in engineering and technology.
The partnership with Sperry Rail is part of the University’s broader efforts to push the boundaries of data science research and its real-world applications. The project is expected to not only improve rail safety but also provide valuable insights into the potential of AI to revolutionise other industries.
For more information on research at the University of Derby, visit www.derby.ac.uk/research.
