Intelligent system for electrical heating control based on optical precipitation sensor

Abstract The paper presents testing results of the SCADA system IntelHeat introduced at the Latvian Railways for automated heating control of railway points during winters with the purpose of electricity saving by optimized real-time assignment of heating levels. The system is based on innovative optical sensors of precipitation detecting rain and snow particles using diffuse and specular reflection channels. The results of trial exploitation demonstrated the ability of the IntelHeat system to manage points heating flexibly in accordance with changes of weather conditions and correspondence with archived meteorological data.