"GEO" History

At RTC we have been testing with High Rail Geometry since 2007.

The first system used, “GEO1” was a contact system developed by Andian Technologies and although first known as Acutract is now known as SolidTrack. This system in our opinion revolutionized High Rail Geometry testing.

Initially the Track Safety Rules (TSR) as set by Transport Canada did not permit the use of HiRail vehicles for the purpose of conducting geometry testing. However, as the SolidTrack system begun to prove itself as an invaluable method of testing this soon changed the opinion of Transport Canada, and they themselves began to utilize this system as an added tool for track audits. Today the SolidTrack system is used exclusively by Transport Canada throughout the country.

On May 25, 2012 Transport Canada revised the Rules Respecting Track Safety (still know as TSR) making provisions for Light Geometry Inspection Vehicles (LGIV) or HiRail Geometry on both Class 1 and Class 2 track. However, the TSR maintained that all measurements must be taken from the head of the rail to avoid incorrect readings.

While excited that the new rules would enable the use of Light Geometry Inspection Vehicles (LGIV), this meant that SolidTrack which measures Vehicle Dynamic value rather than the Rail Head Value (in other words it measures what the vehicle does rather than how the track is preforming) did not meet standard. Gauge measurements which are taken from contact wheels were still possible, but unfortunately we could not measure compliant gauge where greater than normal "rail lip" was present or in some cases through switches.

To meet the obligations of the Rules Respecting Track Safety (TSR) and to ensure our client needs were also met, RTC with the help of the MerMac Group created GEO2. This newly developed system uses laser and camera technology to obtain measurements and meets all requirements of the TSR.

In acknowledgment,

We would like to thank Transport Canada for their dedication to Rail Safety and allowing us to present to them High Rail Geometry and adopting it as a suitable method for testing. We would also like to thank Transport Canada for adopting some of our recommendations on Geometry Testing within the new 2012 TSR.

We would like to thank Canadian National Railway (CN) for their support with "GEO1" in the early stages.

A special thanks to the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) for embracing our new technology of “GEO2” over the years. Without your high standards we would not have made the progress we did.

Today we have the GEO2 system compliant with the requirements of the Rules Respecting Track Safety (TSR).

Call us for a TSR compliant LGIV test today!