MTRI Inc. is a small business with the mission of commercializing research that comes out of the Michigan Tech Research Institute, part of Michigan Technological University. Staff members have been developing drone-based inspections techniques utilizing 3D photogrammetry, thermal, and multispectral imaging for transportation and environmental assessment since 2011. Our current focus has been on developing the drone-based rail grade crossing inspection system “Crossing-i” through the USDOT Federal Rail Agency funded small business innovation research (SBIR) project “Automated, Drone-based Grade Crossing Inspection”. Phase II is currently underway to continue development a commercially-ready system for rail asset inspection.
Why Consider the Crossing-i System?
The Crossing-i system enables rail transportation agencies, private companies, and other end users to to automatically assess the vertical (humped) crossing status and visual site line sufficiency of their highway-rail grade crossings using rapid 3D drone sensing. Identification and evaluation of grade crossing signs and other safety features is also possible with Crossing-i.
If you would like to consider using the Crossing-i system, please contact
Principal Investigator (PI) Colin Brooks at cbrooksmtriinc@gmail.com
and Co-PI Rick Dobson at rdobsonmtriinc@gmail.com.
