Wheel Impact Load Detector

The L.B. Foster Wheel Impact Load Detector is the most widely used system in the world today, with nearly 300 installed to date, to detect and alarm on excessive wheel impacts for the targeted removal of defective wheels. An essential component of any performance-based wheel management program, the WILD continually monitors rail vehicle wheel health to ensure safe and productive train operations.

WILD systems evaluate millions of wheels per day throughout the international rail industry with proven accuracy and reliability.

The WILD is a hardened electronic data collection device that measures vertical wheel forces via rail-mounted strain gages. The WILD measures impact forces cause by damaged wheels.

High impact forces damage vehicles, cargo, and infrastructure.

Wild Installation and Operation

A series of strain gage load circuits, micro-welded directly to the neutral axis of a rail, create an instrumented zone for the measurement of vertical forces exerted by each wheel of a passing train. Signal processors, housed in a nearby enclosure, analyze the data to isolate wheel tread irregularities. If any wheel generates a force that exceeds a customer-configured alarming threshold, a report identifies that wheel for action.

Customers can configure multiple alarm thresholds corresponding to their operating procedures. These reports are distributed in real-time to such interested parties as rail traffic control centers and vehicle repair shops.

Specifications:

Operating Speeds – 50 to 300 km/h (30 mph to 180 mph)
Resolution – 100 lb. / 445 newtons
Measurement Zone – 16 meters (50 feet )
Hardened Electronics in 19” rack
Power – 120/220 volts AC or 12/24 volts DC
Power – Approximately 4 amps at 24 volts DC
Bungalow Electronics Operating Temperature 0 °C to 55°C (32°F to 131 °F)

Download the WILD Product Sheet

Download the WILD Product Sheet (Portuguese)

Benefits:

Reduces:

Derailments
Rail Fatigue
Bearing Damage
Track Damage
Car and Truck Damage
Concrete Tie Cracking
Wood Tie Plate Cutting
Lading Damage

Increases:

Wheel Tread Life
Fuel Efficiency

Features:

Impact Force Monitoring
Train, Vehicle and Wheel Information
Bi-Directional Traffic
Automatic Car Counting and Identification (With Valid Car Library)
Self-Diagnostics
Instrumentation Layout Optimized for Fleet Wheel Diameters
Greater Number of Measurement Zones Equals Greater Accuracy
AAR Rule 41 Standard Compliant
Automated Alarm Notifications Wheel