Ground Hazard Observation Survey and Tracking System (GHOSTS)

There is a major missing piece to the existing approaches to ground hazard prediction: detailed, up to date ground-level information on the condition of the wayside terrain which could be analyzed over time to detect even small shifts or changes. To address this, International Electronic Machines Corp (IEM) will develop the Ground Hazard Observation Survey and Tracking System (GHOSTS), a multimodal, high-accuracy surveying and monitoring system that can be placed on any train to produce detailed, multispectral imagery, out to considerable distances. GHOSTS will build upon IEM’s decades of experience in multispectral, multimodal sensor system design, smart image analysis, data fusion, and big data analysis for trending and event prediction to allow early detection of washout erosion, hillside slumping, and more, by combining detailed local imagery and physical geometry with other data sources including weather, geomorphology, accurate topological data, seismic monitoring, satellite imagery, and more. GHOSTS will also leverage IEM’s extensive connections (built throughout our over 35 years of service to the rail industry) to and working relationships with Amtrak, CSX, CP, and other major railroads for key information on the design, capabilities, and requirements for GHOSTS to be a useful and functional addition to railroad safety and maintenance systems.