RMD Arrives in the U.S. for the TTC Conference

On October 7–8, the TTC Conference & Tour will take place at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, Colorado. The facility is considered one of the world’s leading test centers, as well as a hub for research and development in railway infrastructure. Railway Metrics and Dynamics (RMD) has been specially invited by TTC to demonstrate its technology and to give a presentation on sensor technology, AI, and digitalization.

– This is a very exciting opportunity, says Bonny Wong, AI specialist at RMD. The equipment is already on site – 15 PMUs (Performance Monitoring Units) were shipped in advance to our U.S. distributor AMECO, and we’ve received confirmation that they’ve arrived safely.

On the second day of the event, RMD will demonstrate its derailment detection technology in a full-scale, controlled derailment test. The company will also hold a presentation on AI, sensor technology, and the digitalization of the railway industry.

Preparations and Local Adjustments

The derailment test has been preceded by extensive administrative work. Each PMU is equipped with a SIM card that needed to be pre-registered in the operator’s system.
– Verizon is our only available provider here, and their processes are quite different from what we’re used to in Sweden. Their network is the only one accessible to us, and roaming isn’t an option. They’ve also warned us that coverage at the test site in Pueblo may be limited.

Still, Bonny Wong remains calm.
– I fell confident. We know our equipment works, he says.

Controlled Derailment

The derailment test will be conducted under carefully controlled conditions. The train will consist of a locomotive and four wagons, with the last wagon being intentionally derailed using a special derailment wedge placed in front of the first wheelset. At the moment of derailment, the train will be traveling at 17 km/h (11 mph) and continue rolling for approximately 50 meters.