AI manages the world's largest high-speed rail network

China is using AI systems to process large amounts of data in real time, enabling rapid alerts for high-speed rail maintenance teams.

High-speed trains parked on the railway tracks, photographed from above. Photo: ximushushu/iStock — High-speed trains parked on the railway tracks, photographed from above. Photo: *ximushushu/iStock*

China is using an artificial intelligence (AI) system in Beijing to operate and maintain its high-speed rail network, Interesting Engineering reported on March 12.

With a total length of approximately 45,000 km, China has the largest high-speed rail network on the planet.

The AI system processes vast amounts of data across China in real time, capable of alerting maintenance teams to unusual situations within 40 minutes with an accuracy rate of up to 95%.

Liu Daoan, a senior engineer at the infrastructure inspection center of China State Railways, commented that the system is effective. "The system helps on-site teams conduct re-inspections and repairs as quickly as possible," Daoan said in a study published in the journal China Railway.

China's high-speed rail is among the fastest in the world , currently operating at 350 km/h and projected to increase to 400 km/h next year. The country plans to continue expanding its rail network until every city with a population of over 500,000 is interconnected.

Thanks to AI, the number of minor track failures on operating high-speed rail lines in China has decreased by 80% over the past year. None of these lines have received deceleration warnings due to serious track problems. The study also indicates that the amplitude of track displacement due to strong winds has been significantly reduced thanks to AI.

The U.S. railroad network is facing anticipated challenges, as improper maintenance leads to persistent safety risks. Over the past 50 years, the average number of derailments has exceeded 2,800 per year.

More than a decade ago, countries like Germany and Switzerland first recognized the potential of AI in railway management. Both have attempted to use AI to improve their railway networks. However, the networks in these countries are smaller than those in China.

To train the AI system, Chinese scientists had to collect a massive amount of raw data. They gathered data from records of train movement, track vibrations, waveform values, and meteorological records. Previously, the maintenance center issued warnings once a week. Now, thanks to AI, reports are released daily.

Thu Thao (According to Interesting Engineering )

Source link