Case Study: Terracon achieves safer rail track monitoring with Senceive wireless sensors

Rail Track Monitoring – Minneapolis Light Rail Transit System Extension

Terracon, a geotechnical consultant, faced a significant challenge while working on the Minneapolis Light Rail Transit System extension. A deep excavation for a new tunnel adjacent to an active freight line required precise monitoring of the track for movement, but their existing wired and line-of-sight systems were failing. These systems were vulnerable to damage from the environment, maintenance, and Minnesota's harsh winter weather, leading to inconsistent data and high maintenance demands.

The vendor, Senceive, implemented a wireless monitoring solution using their Nano Triaxial Tilt Sensor Nodes and FlatMesh Gateways. This system provided continuous, reliable data on track alignment every five minutes and was immune to snow cover or train traffic. The successful trial led to a full-scale deployment of 180 sensors, which ensured the track's safety, kept it operational, and provided confidence to all stakeholders through automated alerts and a clear data visualization platform.

Terracon

Luke Hanson

Project Manager