Rider - GPS Ride Quality Measurement

More information

Rider is a tri-axial vibration recording system that obtains geographical position and speed information using the Global Positioning System (GPS).

It is designed as a quick and convenient method of locating track faults and measuring passenger ride quality.

Rider unit

Rider can be used on high-speed in-service trains and requires no connection to the train's systems. The recorder has no moving parts and contains 3 high quality accelerometers that measure vertical, lateral and in-line vibrations.

The case is made from stainless steel and has a gasketed cover, closed by lockable toggle latches. This cover gives access to an LCD and keypad that control the operation of the recorder.

Making recordings


Output data
screenshots

The GPS antenna is positioned with a clear view of the sky and connected to the recorder. The recorder is placed on the floor of the car.

Pressing the record button starts the recording of the chosen area of interest. After a recording has been made, the Rider is connected to a PC and the data downloaded to be stored and analysed.

Rider software automatically generates a map and a graph from the data of the recording. These display the vertical, lateral and in-line vibration levels, the route taken, areas of poor ride quality, jolt locations and their severity, speed profile and raw and averaged rms vibrations. Rider software also generates jolt reports (showing jolts along with their location and severity) and comfort reports (based on UIC513).

An optional external accelerometer can be used for more precise measurements of suspension components.