On-Site Calibration Method for Line-Structured Light Sensor-Based Railway Wheel Size Measurement System

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Metrology and Measurement Science
• Railway Engineering and Technology

Background:

• Line-structured light sensors are crucial for railway measurement due to their anti-interference, speed, and accuracy.
• Traditional calibration methods are time-consuming and complex, hindering practical railway applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a fast and simplified calibration method for line-structured light sensors suitable for railway environments.
• To enhance calibration accuracy by mitigating ambient light effects and correcting misalignment.

Main Methods:

• A novel, self-developed calibration device was utilized for a streamlined calibration process.
• The method eliminates the need for light strip extraction, reducing ambient light influence.
• Epipolar constraints were employed to correct calibration errors caused by misalignment.

Main Results:

• The proposed calibration method significantly reduced calibration time compared to traditional approaches.
• Eliminating light strip extraction minimized the impact of ambient light on measurements.
• Correction of misalignment errors using epipolar constraints led to improved calibration accuracy.

Conclusions:

• The developed fast calibration method is effective and suitable for railway field applications.
• The method offers improved accuracy and reduced calibration time over traditional techniques like Zhang's method.