TECHNOLOGY 03 Drone Inspections
Technical Solutions
Drones as a New Inspection Method
At RAILTEC, inspections of
railway civil engineering
structures and other tasks
are conducted by first-class and
second-class unmanned aircraft remote pilots.
railway civil engineering
structures and other tasks
are conducted by first-class and
second-class unmanned aircraft remote pilots.
Inspections of railway civil engineering structures present numerous challenges, such as the labor required to set up scaffolding and the risks associated with working at heights. Consequently, we have introduced drones as a new inspection method. We select an appropriate type of drone based on the specific railway civil engineering structure being inspected and the nature of the inspection tasks. To further broaden their scope of application, we are also utilizing drones for nighttime inspections and in confined spaces such as overhead and enclosed spaces.
We offer advanced drone inspection technology backed by extensive experience and expertise in civil engineering structure inspections.
• We accept orders covering the entire process from drone inspections to the delivery of final reports.
• Drone selection and inspection method proposals are tailored to specific site conditions.
Please feel free to consult us if you have any questions or problems regarding your company’s use of drone inspections.
TECHNOLOGY 03-01Overhead Space Inspection Using Drones Designed for Spaces
Drone Inspections
Introducing drones designed for confined spaces eliminates the risk of workers falling from overhead spaces. The drones' built-in lights allow for clear inspections, even in dimly lit areas, and enable inspection of hard-to-reach high places.
1Improved Safety
Conventional Approach
• Involves working at heights using scaffolding.
• Involves working at heights using scaffolding.
＋RAILTEC’s Unique Approach
• Reduces the labor required to set up scaffolding.
• Reduces the risk of falls from elevated scaffolding.
• Reduces the labor required to set up scaffolding.
• Reduces the risk of falls from elevated scaffolding.
2 Improved Quality
Conventional Approach
• Performs visual inspections of overhead spaces through an access hatch or from the ceiling cavity.
• Performs visual inspections of overhead spaces through an access hatch or from the ceiling cavity.
＋RAILTEC’s Unique Approach
• Performs detailed inspections even in areas with insufficient lighting using the drone’s lights.
• Enables inspection of blind spots in overhead areas.
• Performs detailed inspections even in areas with insufficient lighting using the drone’s lights.
• Enables inspection of blind spots in overhead areas.
3 Improved Efficiency
Conventional Approach
• Drone operations and inspections are handled by separate companies.
• An extensive review of inspection videos is conducted for report preparation after returning to the office.
• Drone operations and inspections are handled by separate companies.
• An extensive review of inspection videos is conducted for report preparation after returning to the office.
＋RAILTEC’s Unique Approach
• RAILTEC can handle everything from drone flights to report preparation.
• Reduces office work time through the development of a drone video editing system for report preparation.
• RAILTEC can handle everything from drone flights to report preparation.
• Reduces office work time through the development of a drone video editing system for report preparation.
Inspection Workflow
1Review past data to assess on-site conditions and identify potential issues or defects.
2On-site survey ⇒ Confirm the locations of inspection hatches and plan the inspection flight route.
3Overhead space inspection ⇒ Perform inspection while viewing live video feed on-site; promptly report any urgent issues or defects.
4Review recorded video at the office.
5Prepare and submit final report.
2On-site survey ⇒ Confirm the locations of inspection hatches and plan the inspection flight route.
3Overhead space inspection ⇒ Perform inspection while viewing live video feed on-site; promptly report any urgent issues or defects.
4Review recorded video at the office.
5Prepare and submit final report.
TECHNOLOGY 03-02Drone Inspections Using Nighttime Flights
Drone Inspections
RAILTEC performs inspections of railway civil engineering structures during the day and at night, and has introduced drone-based nighttime structural inspections. We obtain night flight permits, meticulously plan flight routes and inspection procedures, and conduct inspections based on an understanding of the structure’s vulnerable points.
1 Inspections Using Drones Capable of Nighttime Flight
Conventional Approach
• Uses rail-road vehicles or temporary scaffolding.
• Uses rail-road vehicles or temporary scaffolding.
＋RAILTEC’s Unique Approach
• Performs efficient inspections using drones.
• Performs efficient inspections using drones.
2 Reduced Preparation Time
Conventional Approach
• Uses rail-road vehicles or temporary scaffolding.
• Uses rail-road vehicles or temporary scaffolding.
＋RAILTEC’s Unique Approach
• Reduces preparation time for rail-road vehicles and erection/dismantling of scaffolding through the introduction of drones.
• Reduces preparation time for rail-road vehicles and erection/dismantling of scaffolding through the introduction of drones.
3 Comprehensive Services from Drone Flights to Report Preparation
Conventional Approach
• Drone flight operations and inspection work are often contracted out to different companies.
• Drone flight operations and inspection work are often contracted out to different companies.
＋RAILTEC’s Unique Approach
• We can handle everything from drone flights to report preparation.
• We can handle everything from drone flights to report preparation.
For Operators Who Considering Using Drone Inspections
Are you trying to determine whether you can use drones for inspections, or are you struggling to find new ways to utilize them?
Please consult the experienced team at RAILTEC. Our technicians will provide you with tailored proposals.
We can provide you with comprehensive support with everything from drone flights and inspections to report preparation and delivery.
Please consult the experienced team at RAILTEC. Our technicians will provide you with tailored proposals.
We can provide you with comprehensive support with everything from drone flights and inspections to report preparation and delivery.
If you have any concerns regarding the introduction of drone inspections, please feel free to consult with us about anything.