Artificial Intelligence Used in Railway Construction Projects

Plasser & Theurer SMD 80 tamping machine at the V-Híd’s demonstration, during which the last track section of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line’s open line section was laid in 2024 October.

Using state-of-the-art technology, such as artificial intelligence, V-Híd carried out track diagnostics measurements during one of its flagship projects. Engineers used a new generation of measuring carts to collect digital data on the completed railway track on the section between Soltszentimre and Kelebia (southern Hungary).

The solution used here could make a significant contribution to the modernization of the almost 5,000-kilometer-long Hungarian railway core network, the company told MTI. According to their press release, the measuring cart developed by Plasser & Theurer is equipped with a unique railway diagnostic system: it records two million data points per second with its ultrasonic, laser and optical equipment.

The data is converted into a digital map, while sensors and a high-resolution video system document the technical data of the rails, beams and fastenings, that are analyzed by experts using artificial intelligence.

The technology applied here will be used not only in construction, but also in joint research programs between V-Híd and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). They added that the digitization of the track diagnostics project will facilitate the sharing of information between project participants, and the resulting data will serve as a basis for BIM (Building Information Modeling).

The resulting database will enable future 3D digital modelling of rail infrastructure throughout the entire life cycle of infrastructure elements, from design preparation through construction to operation.

Fact

V-Híd, founded in 2015, is a leading railway construction company in Hungary. The 100% Hungarian-owned company’s portfolio includes railway, bridge and road construction, railway signaling and interlocking, and overhead catenary.