Indian Railways (IR) has planned to install advanced composite sleepers and artificial intelligence (AI) based track monitoring for enhanced safety. Reportedly, the existing iron and concrete sleepers used in bridge approaches and at points and crossings will now be replaced with light weighted advanced composite sleepers made from mixed materials. These composite sleepers will last longer and can withstand loads of up to 700 kg per square centimetre, also lowering the cost of maintenance. Further, these sleepers also provide better cushioning, and can be customised based on location-specific requirements.
Besides, IR has also planned to deploy AI enabled ground penetration radar device in its inspection vehicles for monitoring of track base. Furthermore, IR has decided to use a new magnetic particle testing technique to improve quality of welding in railway tracks. This testing is effective in identifying minute defects in welded joints.