Implementation of drone in a box systems in the maintenance of high-speed railway transport in Spain

This study explores the potential deployment of drone-in-a-box systems along Spain’s high-speed rail network to enhance inspection and maintenance operations. These autonomous systems allow drones to take off, land, and recharge without human intervention, offering a scalable, safe, and efficient so...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Diez Martin, Alejandro
Tipo de recurso: tesis de maestría
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/444121
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/444121
Access Level:acceso embargado
Palabra clave:Drone aircraft
Railroads--Maintenance and repair
Transportation buildings
High-speed
Autonomous
Systems
Rail
Drone
Monitoring
Infrastructure
Avions no tripulats
Ferrocarrils--Manteniment i reparació
Infraestructures de transport
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Aeronàutica i espai
Descripción
Sumario:This study explores the potential deployment of drone-in-a-box systems along Spain’s high-speed rail network to enhance inspection and maintenance operations. These autonomous systems allow drones to take off, land, and recharge without human intervention, offering a scalable, safe, and efficient solution for monitoring critical infrastructure. The project identifies high-value locations for drone station placement, focusing on areas with limited accessibility or higher risk of failure. A cross-analysis is performed between the rail network and zones with low mobile coverage to ensure continuous drone connectivity and autonomous operation. A market review of current nest drone technologies is included, evaluating their readiness for integration in rail environments. Additionally, regulatory and technical constraints are analyzed to assess feasibility. The study proposes locating initial test stations within ADIF maintenance bases, where infrastructure and connectivity are already available. By combining geospatial analysis, connectivity mapping, and technology evaluation, this research provides a roadmap for implementing autonomous evaluation, operational risks, and reinforce INECO’s commitment to sustainability in public infrastructure.