Better Turnout Data, Better Maintenance Decisions

Typical turnout infrastructure requiring regular inspection and maintenance.

A More Reliable Way to Inspect Turnouts

Turnouts are among the most critical assets in a rail network—and among the most challenging to inspect.

For decades, railways have relied on skilled inspectors and established field procedures to assess turnout condition and identify maintenance needs. Those inspections remain an essential part of railway maintenance programs today.

At the same time, maintenance teams are being asked to do more with their inspection data.

Beyond understanding the current condition of an asset, railways increasingly want to identify trends, prioritize interventions, and support predictive maintenance strategies.

The Challenge: Consistency

Collecting turnout data is only part of the equation.

The real challenge is collecting data that can be compared consistently over time.

Field conditions, access windows, environmental factors, and measurement methods can all influence the inspection process. Even when inspections are performed according to best practices, maintaining consistency across large networks and over extended periods can be difficult.

As a result, many railways are exploring ways to complement traditional inspection practices with automated technologies that provide additional coverage and repeatable measurements.

A New Approach

To support this need, Automated Vision Systems (AVS), a product line of Eddyfi Technologies, has introduced the LRAIL Turnout Inspection Module.

The module automatically inspects critical turnout components while collecting geo-referenced data that can be analyzed and compared over time. By using the same sensors and methodology across successive inspections, railways can build a more consistent view of asset condition throughout their network.

Inspection coverage includes key turnout components such as switch points, frogs (crossings), guard rails, and wing rails, helping infrastructure teams gain a more comprehensive view of turnout condition across their network. By capturing multiple measurements and component conditions in a single pass, the module provides a more complete picture of turnout health while supporting efficient inspection programs.

The technology has also been validated through field testing conducted with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and VIA Rail, demonstrating accurate and repeatable turnout measurements under real-world operating conditions.

The result is a repeatable inspection process that supports trend analysis, condition monitoring, and long-term asset management initiatives.

The Turnout Inspection Module can be deployed on either a dedicated rail inspection vehicle or a hi-rail vehicle, allowing railways to integrate automated turnout assessments into existing inspection programs while selecting the approach that best fits their operational needs.

The system can operate day or night and in either travel direction, providing additional flexibility for inspection scheduling and network coverage.

Building Confidence in Maintenance Planning

Most railways don’t struggle with a lack of inspection data.

They struggle with turning that data into actionable maintenance decisions.

When inspection data is both repeatable and validated, infrastructure teams gain clearer visibility into asset performance, emerging degradation, and maintenance priorities across the network.

The result is greater confidence when planning interventions, allocating resources, and making long-term infrastructure investment decisions.

Learn More

To learn more about the LRAIL Turnout Inspection Module or schedule a call with our team, CLICK HERE

The Automated Vision Systems team will also be exhibiting at AREMA 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri, from September 13–16, 2026. If you’ll be attending, stop by Booth 326—we’d be pleased to discuss your turnout inspection challenges and share how railways are using automated inspection technologies to support maintenance planning and asset management.