Virtual Reality for Remote Inspection of Railway Tunnels
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26439/ciic2025.8670Palabras clave:
Railway tunnels, remote inspection, virtual reality (VR)Resumen
The inspection of railway tunnels is essential to ensure the safety and operability of transportation networks. Traditionally, these inspections are conducted through on-site visual assessments, which entails logistical challenges, occupational hazards, and operational interruptions. Although there have been technological advances in infrastructure inspection, on-site visual inspection remains predominant due to the strong reliance on direct observation and the value of the inspector’s field experience. In this context, this study analyzes the efficiency of railway tunnel inspections in virtual reality (VR) environments as an alternative to traditional methods. The research applies Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM) to develop and validate a VR-based inspection protocol, using as a case study a detailed model generated from a point cloud of a railway tunnel. The developed protocol was evaluated and compared with the traditional methodology using 5 key performance indicators (KPIs). The results showed that VR matches the accuracy of traditional inspections, while increasing coverage, reducing operational time, and minimizing service interruptions. However, it also presents certain limitations such as restricted graphical resolution and a learning curve for new users. This study concludes that the effective implementation of VR-based structural inspections represents a key opportunity to significantly improve the management and maintenance of critical infrastructure, providing a safer, more precise, efficient, and operationally sustainable approach.
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Derechos de autor 2026 Actas del Congreso Internacional de Ingeniería Civil (CIIC)
Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución 4.0.
