New BART Tool Will Help Give Passengers a Smoother Ride
On May 3, BART unveiled its newly acquired geometry car, known as the Rail Inspection Vehicle or RIV for short, which will enhance the rider experience by enabling a smoother ride, improving the system’s reliability, and cutting costs. Such improvements are critical as BART faces down a fiscal cliff and works to bring riders back to the system. The vehicle has highly advanced track inspection capabilities that will transform BART’s rail operations, helping to facilitate more efficient maintenance as well as fewer system interruptions for repairs during normal service hours.
One of only two such vehicles in the U.S. at this time, the RIV utilizes hi-tech lasers, sensors, cameras, measuring systems, and data management systems to create a comprehensive profile of the track, all while traveling at speeds of up to 70 mph. The RIV can measure the track’s position, curvature, smoothness, and alignment, as well as wear and corrugation, which contribute to train noise.
