A REVIEW OF WHEEL INSPECTION DEVICES AND CONDITION MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR RAILWAY VEHICLES

Abstract

Railway wheel wear changes the wheel profile and affects wheel–rail interaction, making reliable inspection essential for maintenance planning. This paper reviews wheel inspection devices and condition monitoring systems, focusing on wheel profile geometry, flange height, flange thickness, the qR dimension, and wear assessment. Portable measuring devices are compared with stationary systems that inspect wheels during train passage. The review considers measurement principles, operating conditions, data handling, and the contribution of each approach to maintenance decisions. Particular attention is given to the transition from individual measurements to historical wear monitoring and maintenance prediction. Portable devices provide flexibility for workshop inspections, whereas automatic wayside systems enable frequent measurements across a fleet. However, increased measurement frequency alone does not establish predictive capability. Reliable predictions also require consistent wheel identification, comparable measurements, and records of operating conditions and reprofiling. The review highlights the importance of measurement quality and data continuity when selecting inspection systems and integrating their outputs into condition-based maintenance.