Early detection and assessment of railway substructure moisture problems at national to local scale using spaceborne, airborne and train-based remote sensing systems

A highly available and affordable railway infrastructure relies on development of innovative solutions in infrastructure monitoring. The use of remote sensing systems operating from satellites, drones, and mobile mapping platforms offers tremendous potential for preventive and automated monitoring of the railway infrastructure. One of the most common causes for deterioration of the tracks is water intrusion leading to subsurface ballast moisture/wetness. This type of damage results in significant costs for mitigation and repair.