One machine vision system researched by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), under sponsorship of the AAR’s Technology Scanning Strategic Research Initiative, demonstrates that machine vision can be used for inspection of railcars. The UIUC prototype system inspect wheel, truct, and brake system components by automated, machine vision-based systems. Machine vision-based wheel and brake shoe inspection systems are already or will soon become commercially available. Inspection of the other truck components will soon follow. This further work by UIUC will focus on other aspects of car inspection, particularly in the area of safety appliances.

• J. M. Hart, N. Ahuja, C. P. L. Barkan and D. Davis, “A Machine Vision System for Monitoring Railcar Health,” Technology Digest, TD-04-008, June 2004.