Sustainable Wireless Sensor Networks for Railway Systems Powered by Energy Harvesting from Vibration

Abstract

The railroad is a particularly efficient means of transporting passengers and goods. In this field, safety, reliability, and punctuality are of great importance, despite harsh environmental conditions and variable loads. Predictive maintenance of train wagons, rails, and stations is becoming increasingly essential [1] and requires massive use of sensors for measuring relevant quantities, such as acceleration, temperature, pressure, strain, and changes in railroad tracks and train wheels.