In the Interests of Transport System Reliability and Safety

Specialists at Peleng JSC, working in close cooperation with Belarusian Railways, are developing an automated pantograph monitoring system. Pantographs are devices fitted to the roofs of electric rolling stock (electric locomotives, electric multiple units, trams and certain trolleybuses) designed to transfer electric current from the overhead contact wire to the power circuits and traction motors. This work is being carried out to ensure the reliability and safety of the transport system of the Republic of Belarus.

During meetings with the management of Belarusian Railways, operational challenges hindering day-to-day activities were examined. One of the primary issues highlighted was the inspection and monitoring of the integrity and presence of carbon contact strips on pantographs. These seemingly minor components are frequently the cause of service disruptions and infrastructure damage.

The laser-optical system under development will scan the pantographs of passing trains in real time, continuously monitoring their condition, detecting wear, damage or missing carbon strips at an early stage, and mitigating the risk of emergency stops and overhead line damage. It will also collect and analyse statistical data to facilitate a transition to scheduled maintenance. Ultimately, this will enable a shift from reactive repairs to proactive incident prevention. Furthermore, deploying the solution developed by Peleng JSC will enhance transport reliability and reduce operational costs.