A track geometry car is an automated track inspection vehicle on a rail transport system used to test several parameters of the track geometry without obstructing normal railroad operations. Some of the parameters generally measured include position, curvature, alignment of the track, smoothness, and the crosslevel of the two rails. The cars use a variety of sensors, measuring systems, and data management systems to create a profile of the track being inspected.
London Underground 1960 Stock Track Recording Train at Notting Hill Gate tube station
Track geometry car in Russia
Track geometry car in New York City
Federal Railroad Administration track geometry cars DOTX-218 and DOTX-220 are pulled along a BNSF mainline by a BNSF GE ES44C4 locomotive.
Track geometry is concerned with the properties and relations of points, lines, curves, and surfaces in the three-dimensional positioning of railroad track. The term is also applied to measurements used in design, construction and maintenance of track. Track geometry involves standards, speed limits and other regulations in the areas of track gauge, alignment, elevation, curvature and track surface. Standards are usually separately expressed for horizontal and vertical layouts although track geometry is three-dimensional.
Curve with superelevation of tracks on the Keystone Corridor near Rosemont, Pennsylvania
Railroad track spirit level in place indicating 5 in (130 mm) of superelevation between the inside and outside rails of a curve along the Keystone Corridor near Narberth, Pennsylvania
