As part of the RoVeKo 4.0 project, automated vegetation control with a robot in the area between the tracks was addressed. The objectives according to the BIF application of 06.12.2021 are to develop an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical vegetation control in the track-adjacent area without endangering personnel or train traffic (compliance with LRP). The conditions for this are extensive and demanding. In addition to the limited size (height and weight) of the robot, the electrically powered robot should be able to move autonomously in the area between the tracks at a safe distance from the rail on the track ballast while eliminating or cutting the existing vegetation. The position of the robot and the work area are displayed on a mobile IT device. Obstacles should be detected, and people must not be endangered.
During the course of the project, a prototype (S-bot) was developed and demonstrated in several iterations, which met the aforementioned requirements. Positioning within the centimeter range (camera-assisted GPS system), obstacle avoidance, person detection, and the safety distance to the track were successfully implemented. Operation of the robot was made convenient by selecting the work area on a map, defining start and end points, and automating path planning. During the work process, the robot is monitored with a monitoring system, the mower is controlled to switch on and off, and the camera detects any persons in front of the robot and monitors the permissible working area outside the tracks. The functionality of the robot was tested in the real working area at the Basel freight yard. The mower was implemented with two string trimmers and covers the entire width of the robot.
In addition to the technical implementation, an economic feasibility analysis was also carried out. The findings indicate that, at the current stage, a robotic solution for vegetation control on areas with sparse plant cover is not yet economically competitive when compared to localized chemical vegetation control. Nevertheless, it demonstrates advantages over manual management in areas with denser vegetation and provides clear benefits from an ecological standpoint.
Videos:
04_Systemmonitor
05_Personenerkennung
06_Gleismonitor
07_Hinderniserkennung mit LiDAR
08_Pfadplanung_und_GIS_Integration
09_Follow_me
10_Projektdokumentation_S-bot_im_Gleisbereich_Basel