Jane Edwards
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory have developed a remote-controlled system that works to provide reconnaissance data in order to help law enforcement officials and first responders evaluate railway incidents.
Johns Hopkins APL’s Instrumented Rail Inspection System has near and visible infrared cameras and a set of sensors designed to detect chemicals and other hazardous materials on the track site, APL said Wednesday.
APL engineers have received funds from the Transportation Security Administration to seek feedback from transit agencies on their requirements as well as design and develop a prototype of the IRiS platform.
Researchers at APL have also demonstrated the platform through a series of live tests in metro transit systems under the two-year development project.
APL signed an agreement with Harsco Corp.’s Protran Technology unit to assess whether the rail-riding vehicle is feasible to use in emergency and railway safety operations.
