JR East Group has fully embraced “Smart Maintenance,” a new initiative that leverages ICT and cutting-edge technologies to enhance the safety and stability of Shinkansen operations. Starting in December 2024, two types of Shinkansen monitoring vehicles, “SMART-Green” and “SMART-Red,” along with a new operational system, “S-RAMos+®,” will begin operation. These advancements are expected to significantly improve the accuracy of deterioration predictions and enable the implementation of Condition Based Maintenance (CBM).
Maintenance vehicle (rail monitoring car) that inspects and examines rail conditions, including internal damages. With a measurement speed of 70 km/h, it is the fastest in Japan.
Maintenance vehicle (track equipment monitoring car) that inspects and examines the condition of sleepers and other track components. It is the first system in Japan to utilize monitoring data for comprehensive Shinkansen track inspections and examinations.
Advancing Track Inspections with “SMART-Green” and “SMART-Red”
A Maintenance Revolution with “S-RAMos+®”
JR East Group is launching “Smart Maintenance” to streamline daily track inspections and testing, aiming to enhance safety and productivity. Central to this initiative are two types of Shinkansen monitoring vehicles: “SMART-Green” and “SMART-Red.”
Designed for regular and high-frequency monitoring of track conditions, these vehicles enable efficient inspections with minimal personnel. Starting in December 2024, the newly introduced “SMART-Red” will begin operation in certain sections of the Tohoku Shinkansen. By the end of fiscal year 2025, a total of four “SMART-Red” units will join one “SMART-Green” unit, forming a fleet of five monitoring vehicles to cover all JR East Shinkansen lines.
Another critical component of “Smart Maintenance” is the new operational system, “S-RAMos+®.” This platform integrates all processes, from data processing to decision-making by engineers, into a unified system. Notably, it features a function to automatically analyze image data captured by monitoring vehicles and identify areas in need of repairs, greatly improving the efficiency of maintenance operations. The system is scheduled to go live in December 2024.
The introduction of “Smart Maintenance” will not only enhance safety but also address future labor shortages and promote workstyle reforms for employees. Additionally, JR East plans to expand these technologies and systems to other railway operators, contributing to the advancement of railway maintenance across Japan.
※Measurements and data processing from the Shinkansen monitoring vehicles are handled by Japan Rail Track Technologies Corporation.