A project that aims to identify defects in railway tracks is the focus of a Masters Research project being undertaken by the James Goldston Faculty of Engineering and Physical Systems newest postgraduate student Steven Bleakley.

Steven’s Master of Engineering by Research project is titled ‘Analysis of Train Dynamic data for rail defect detection and identification’. The project falls under the auspices of the Rail CRC’s ‘Smart Train’ Intelligent Systems theme, which covers a wide range of projects aimed at optimising railway performance and capacity and improving railway safety.

Steven comes to CQU after completing a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Computer Engineering) Honours 1 from QUT. Alongside his studies at QUT, he worked mainly with embedded micro-controllers as a design engineer for MPA Engineering Pty Ltd. His task with Rail CRC is to research and design Wavelet Transform based algorithms to detect abnormalities in rail tracks from motion sensors mounted on the wagon body. The final detection algorithms are to be light enough to run on solar powered embedded systems mounted on each wagon.

Of his move to Central Queensland Steven says, “I thank the Lord for leading me to Rockhampton and for the opportunities that have opened up for me here at the Rail CRC. I’m really looking forward to exploring my research topic, working with the CRC to reach milestones, and getting to know the people here at CQU.” In his scarce spare time, Steven is also completing a biblical studies program at the Norman Park Baptist Church Bible Institute. Steven is located in the postgraduate room in building 29.