Gotcha Monitoring Systems have extended their product line with a fully integrated uplift monitoring system. With the uplift monitoring system, the Gotcha platform offers new possibilities to increase safety and availability of rail transportation and reduce life-cycle costs.

Gotcha’s uplift monitoring system optically measures the vertical displacement of the contact wire without a physical contact with the catenary system or railway track. A laser sensor mounted to the catenary support measures the vertical position of the contact wire when a train passes by. The sensor units directly provide the necessary uplift signal. Analysis software on a PC in the trackside Gotcha monitoring cabinet determines the maximum and minimum uplift values as well as the dynamic behaviour of the pantograph.

The measurements are done near to real time and the results are combined with train information provided by the Gotcha platform such as speed, vehicle identification, location on the train etc.