Domestic and national inspection system coming to trains

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that they aim to commission the automatic train inspection stations (OTMI), developed entirely by Turkish engineers, by the end of the year. Uraloğlu stated, "OTMIs will be able to autonomously inspect railway vehicles at a more advanced level than existing inspection stations, even while the trains are in motion. Thus, malfunctions in the vehicles will be detected before they lead to major problems."

Reporting that the OTMIs, developed with domestic and national resources and to be placed at various points on the railway network, will be able to pre-detect defects such as potential cracks in train wheels, fractures, brake system errors, and unusual overheating, Uraloğlu assessed, "OTMIs developed with domestic and national resources will be able to inspect railway vehicles autonomously, even while trains are in motion, at a more advanced level than current inspection stations. Thus, defects in the vehicles will be detected before they lead to major losses."

Pointing out that they have also initiated the transformation of intelligent transportation systems on railways, similar to those on highways, Uraloğlu said, "OTMI, one of the most important projects we have signed in the field of digitalization and intelligent systems in railways, will enable safe, fast, and comfortable passenger and freight transportation in accordance with international standards and developing technology."

Stating that the checks of railway vehicle running gear, load balance, and potential malfunctions, which were previously done directly by hand, can now be performed entirely with electronic sensors and intelligent software even while trains are in motion thanks to OTMI, Uraloğlu emphasized that they will prevent foreign dependency in railway maintenance and repair and reduce operating costs.