Smart composite materials and IoT: Revolutionizing real-time railway health monitoring

This paper explores the integration of smart composite materials and IoT technologies for revolutionizing real-time railway health monitoring. The study highlights the significance of these advancements in improving safety, efficiency, and maintenance practices in railway infrastructure. Key aspects such as fog computing, RFID systems, 5G technology, and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are examined. Various IoT sensors, including strain gauges, accelerometers, and temperature sensors, are discussed for their roles in structural health monitoring. The review includes a dedicated section on smart composite materials and their synergistic application with IoT for railway infrastructure monitoring. The methodology involves a comprehensive analysis of current technologies and their applications, including crack detection using image processing and machine learning, 3D-LIDAR for obstacle detection, and collision avoidance systems. Challenges such as data security, interoperability, and integration with legacy systems are addressed. The paper concludes by discussing potential advancements and the practical implications of IoT and smart composite technologies for future railway infrastructure management.