The problems with measuring distance in goods wagons

This article presents the current problems with measuring distance in goods wagons. The main problem where goods wagons are concerned is their lack of power supply. Owing to this, a distance-measuring system is hard to install. Meanwhile, the measurement of distance travelled and the service processes dependent on this measurement are becoming more and more important. Moreover, the railway accident in Viareggio on June 29, 2009 has resulted in increased interest in determining the accurate mileage of a wagon or, to be exact, of a wheelset. One has to realise, that a goods wagon is actually a combination of numerous elements (such as the body, the underframe, the carriage, the wheelsets, etc.) that can differ in mileage and can be exchanged between different wagons. This makes it necessary to register not only the mileage of the whole wagon, but also, at a minimum, of the carriage. This article is an attempt at outlining the current state of this issue.