The PDR is a system for measuring the weight per axle of the transversal and longitudinal imbalances of the trains in transit on the rail. The PDR was entirely designed, developed and manufactured by Siem S.r.l..
The main functions of the PDR are:
- measurement of the axial load Q(t) transmitted by the wheel to the sleepers (for axle and right/left wheel);
- calculation of the average transit speed of the convoy;
- detection of the number of axles of the train;
- determination of the direction of travel of the convoy;
- determination of the weight per wheel, per axle, per wagon;
- determination of longitudinal and transversal imbalances;
- recognition and description of the convoys.
The data relating to each train is acquired in real time and subsequently processed locally by the data acquisition unit; the result of the processing is then stored in a local backup archive and sent to a data collection center which displays the values of interest and any alarms.
The experimentation was carried out with a prototype installed at the Lesina station (FG) from 2005 to 2007.
The activities involved the design, prototype construction and execution of functional tests on a section of the railway line.
