Korea Institute of Optical Technology Develops Commercialization of Line-Type Optical Vibration Sensor System

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Korea Photonics Technology Institute (President Shin Yong-jin) announced on the 1st that it has succeeded in developing a line-type optical fiber vibration sensor system that can monitor in real time the operation information such as the speed and location of trains, as well as unexpected situations around the railway such as construction, rockfalls, and external intrusions for the first time in Korea.

The newly developed Distributed Acoustic Sensor (DAS) system measures changes in scattered light caused by vibrations around optical cables buried underground, enabling analysis of the location and frequency of vibrations within a range of up to 50 km.

Since the system utilizes existing communication optical cables installed around the tracks as sensing optical cables, it can reduce installation costs. Additionally, continuous section measurement is possible, which can eliminate blind spots in railway safety.

Moreover, this system, which applies artificial intelligence-based data analysis technology, classifies the location and events of train operation information, intruders, maintenance work, rockfalls, and optical cable damage, and delivers them to administrators, thereby preventing safety accidents in advance.

The system is currently undergoing demonstration on a 47 km section between Osong and Gongju on the Honam high-speed line and a 20 km section between Seodaejeon and Gyeryong on the Honam conventional line. Efforts are focused on enhancing the system’s reliability through big data collection and analysis of various situations occurring in the railway environment and vehicle operation.

Center Director Kim Myung-jin stated, “With issues such as carbon reduction, railway transportation is expected to become increasingly important in the future,” and added, “We expect that the newly developed DAS system will contribute to building an advanced monitoring system that can manage railway networks and prevent safety accidents.”

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