California High Speed Rail
![High Speed Rail High Speed Rail](https://www.geo-instruments.com/wp-content/uploads/1-high-speed-rail-concept.jpg)
Project
The California High Speed Rail system will connect San Francisco to Los Angeles with trains traveling up to 220 mph on grade-separated track. (Rendering courtesy of California High Speed Rail Authority).
GEO-Instruments is at work on a section of the project between Fresno and Bakersfield. The elevated tracks will be supported by large-bore piles. These are being constructed within 30 feet of the heavily-used, existing tracks.
Monitoring Requirements
To ensure operational safety, a real-time monitoring system was required to provide adequate warning to rail operators. GEO provided two systems for this purpose.
![Wireless tiltmeters on track Wireless tiltmeters on track](https://www.geo-instruments.com/wp-content/uploads/1-hsr-tilts-on-track-750.jpg)
Wireless Tiltmeters
The first system was an array of wireless tiltmeters installed on a 300 foot span of track adjacent to the construction area. Data from the tiltmeters was used to model total track movement.
![AMTS monitoring track AMTS monitoring track](https://www.geo-instruments.com/wp-content/uploads/1-amts-and-blue-train.jpg)
Solar-Powered AMTS
The second system was a solar-powered AMTS system that monitored 180 rail-clip prisms that are mounted directly on the rails. The system provides operators with measurements and changes of the XYZ coordinates of each prism at three-hour intervals.
![Construction camera at HSR Construction camera at HSR](https://www.geo-instruments.com/wp-content/uploads/construction-camera-750-505-selma.jpg)
Solar-Powered Site Camera
GEO also deployed a solar-powered construction-site camera. Cameras provide a continuous record of progress and can help identify problems and improve operations.
![Sisterbar strain gauges on rebar cage Sisterbar strain gauges on rebar cage](https://www.geo-instruments.com/wp-content/uploads/1-sisterbars-on-cage-350.jpg)
Sisterbar Strain Gauges
GEO-Instruments also supplied and installed sisterbar strain gauges for LTC's O-cell and lateral load testing of the piles.
![Rebar cage for large-bore pile Rebar cage for large-bore pile](https://www.geo-instruments.com/wp-content/uploads/1-large-pile-at-night-350.jpg)
Lowering instrumented cage into the bore.