Customized Sensors

The RTS SmartRock™ is a next-generation sensing platform developed by Railroad Technology and Services (RTS) to provide particle-level insight into the performance of track-beds and geotechnical systems. Built for both laboratory and field use, SmartRock makes it possible to measure the hidden forces and motions inside ballast and track structures that directly affect safety and maintenance.

• Wireless SmartRock – two sizes available; provides wireless data transmission for real-time monitoring.
• Wired SmartRock – ideal for long-term or high-data-rate applications with direct connectivity. 
• Power Options – available with replaceable batteries or induction charging for operational flexibility.
   

• Measures triaxial contact stress, 3D acceleration, and angular rotation. 
• Can be embedded directly in ballast or structural layers without disrupting normal track operations. 
• Scalable system: multiple SmartRocks can be deployed across track sections for distributed monitoring. 
• Data can be streamed in real time or stored for later retrieval.
   

• Ballast and Track bed Monitoring – evaluate ballast condition, degradation, and fouling. 
• Maintenance Optimization – pinpoint locations needing tamping, surfacing, or renewal. 
• Structural Monitoring – study load transfer and vibration on bridges or special trackwork. 
• Laboratory & Training Use – support controlled testing, standards development, and education.
   

• Improves safety through early detection of instability or abnormal forces. 
• Supports cost-efficient maintenance by enabling data-driven decisions. 
• Offers flexible deployment (multiple sizes, wired/wireless, rechargeable options). 
• Engineered for durability in demanding rail environments.
   

The RTS Stress Cell™ is a versatile, high-precision wired geotechnical sensor developed by Railroad Technology and Services (RTS) to measure contact forces and dynamic responses in soils, aggregates, and structural systems. Designed for both field and laboratory use, it combines force measurement with triaxial motion sensing, offering a powerful tool for engineers and researchers across rail and broader geotechnical applications.

• Force Measurement – records the total force acting on its cover, ideal for studying load transfer in soil, rock, ballast, or engineered layers. 
• Integrated Triaxial Accelerometers – capture acceleration and orientation, allowing calibration of both force and dynamic behavior. 
• 100 Hz Sampling Rate – delivers high-resolution data suitable for both static and dynamic load studies. 
• Wired, High-Accuracy Design – eliminates wireless limitations for reliable, continuous data collection. 
• Stringable Configuration – multiple Stress Cells can be connected in a sensor string and integrated into a single adapter and PC, enabling efficient deployment across large sites. 
• Ruggedized Construction – engineered for harsh field conditions and heavy load environments.
   

• Rail Infrastructure – trackbeds, subgrades, transitions, bridges, and special trackwork. 
• Geotechnical Engineering – embankments, foundations, retaining structures, and soil-structure interaction studies. 
• Civil Infrastructure Monitoring – dams, tunnels, pavements, and embankments. 
• Laboratory Testing – material characterization and validation of computational models.
   

• Provides direct, accurate force measurement with synchronized motion data. 
• High-frequency sampling enables dynamic event capture (vibration, impact, cyclic loading). 
• Scalable and efficient – multiple cells in one string, connected to one adapter and PC. 
• Broad geotechnical and structural applicability, beyond rail alone.

The RTS Inclinometer™ is a high-precision instrument developed by Railroad Technology and Services (RTS) to monitor ground and structural displacement, orientation, and dynamic response in geotechnical and civil engineering applications. With ultra-precise angle measurement (up to 0.003° accuracy) and integrated triaxial accelerometers, it delivers unmatched insight into subsurface and structural movements. Available in wired and Wi-Fi wireless versions, the RTS Inclinometer™ is adaptable for both permanent monitoring and flexible deployments.

• Ultra-High Precision – detects angular changes with accuracy up to 0.003°. 
• Integrated Triaxial Accelerometers & Orientation Sensors – measure tilt, orientation, and dynamic motions. 
• Versions – available in Wired for continuous, robust data capture or Wi-Fi Wireless for flexible, cable-free installations. 
• Flexible Monitoring Options – suitable for periodic manual readings or automated long-term logging. 
• Scalable Deployment – multiple inclinometers can be linked in series for multi-depth monitoring. 
• Data Compatibility – outputs integrate seamlessly with standard geotechnical monitoring platforms.
   

• Slopes and Embankments – monitor stability and detect early warning signs of failure. 
• Retaining Walls – measure lateral displacement and wall performance. 
• Dams and Levees – track long-term ground movement affecting critical structures. 
• Tunnels and Underground Works – monitor ground response and structural deformation. 
• Foundations and Excavations – assess subsurface movement during and after construction.
   

• Combines force, acceleration, and orientation sensing in one instrument. 
• Offers both wired reliability and wireless flexibility (Wi-Fi). 
• Enables early detection of small displacements for proactive risk management. 
• Rugged, reliable, and engineered for long-term geotechnical monitoring.

The RTS Multi-Depth Deflectometer™ (MDD) is a precision geotechnical monitoring instrument developed by Railroad Technology and Services (RTS) to measure vertical displacement at multiple depths within a single borehole. By providing a displacement profile through soil or rock layers, the MDD delivers critical data for understanding settlement, heave, and long-term ground stability.

• Multi-Depth Measurement – measures vertical displacement at multiple points within one borehole. 
• Direct PC Connection – data is collected directly to a computer, requiring no separate data acquisition (DAQ) system. 
• High Accuracy – sensitive displacement detection suitable for both short-term and long-term monitoring. 
• Wired System – designed for reliability and continuous operation in demanding field environments. 
• Long-Term Durability – robust construction for embankments, dams, levees, and other critical infrastructure projects.
   

• Settlement Monitoring – track subsurface settlement under embankments, fills, and structures. 
• Heave & Uplift Studies – detect vertical expansion in soils or groundwater-driven heave. 
• Dams & Levees – measure long-term displacement to safeguard critical water-retaining structures. 
• Deep Foundations & Excavations – monitor ground response during and after construction. 
• Tunnels & Underground Works – assess vertical ground movements around excavations.
   

• Provides layer-by-layer displacement profiles in a single borehole. 
• Simplifies instrumentation by connecting directly to a PC (no DAQ required). 
• Cost-effective solution for long-term subsurface monitoring. 
• Enhances safety and reliability by detecting settlement or heave before they become critical.
   

 The RTS All Purpose Unit™ (APU) is a wired, high-resolution structural monitoring instrument developed by Railroad Technology and Services (RTS). Purpose-built for bridge monitoring and other critical structures, the APU integrates 3 strain channels, 3 acceleration channels, and 3 rotation channels into a single compact device, providing 10 degrees of freedom (DOF) of structural response measurement. Designed to be stringable, multiple APUs can be connected in series and linked to a single adapter and PC, delivering scalable coverage of large bridge systems.

• 10-DOF Multi-Sensor System 
  • 3 Strain Channels – capture axial, bending, and torsional strain in structural members. 
  • 3 Acceleration Channels – measure vibration and dynamic response in three axes. 
  • 3 Rotation Channels – monitor angular velocity and orientation changes. 
• Wired, Stringable Configuration – multiple APUs can be daisy-chained into a single adapter/PC. 
• High Sampling Rate – suitable for dynamic load testing, modal analysis, and long-term monitoring. 
• Rugged Construction – built for demanding bridge and structural environments. 
• Direct PC Connectivity – no external DAQ system required.
   

• Bridge Monitoring – live load response, vibration monitoring, fatigue studies, structural health assessment. 
• Structural Engineering – retaining walls, foundations, and other critical infrastructure. 
• Dynamic Testing – load rating validation and modal testing of bridges. 
• Tunneling & Underground Structures – monitor lining and structural performance. 
• Research & Development – multipurpose platform for experimental structural studies.
   

• Provides comprehensive, multi-channel measurement in one instrument. 
• Enables scalable bridge monitoring with multiple units linked into one system. 
• High-frequency sampling captures both static loads and dynamic events. 
• Reduces instrumentation complexity by combining strain, acceleration, and rotation. 
• Engineered for long-term structural health monitoring in challenging environments.

The RTS Remote DAQ is a rugged, high-performance data acquisition system designed to collect, process, and transmit data from RTS sensor networks in real-world infrastructure environments. Engineered for bridge monitoring and structural health assessment, the Remote DAQ integrates seamlessly with RTS SmartRock™, Stress Cells, Inclinometers, Multi-Depth Deflectometers, and APUs, providing a centralized hub for synchronized, reliable, and scalable data collection.

• Multi-Sensor Compatibility – supports all RTS wired and wireless sensors, including SmartRock, Stress Cells, Inclinometers, MDDs, and APUs. 
• High Sampling Rates – capable of capturing fast dynamic events such as train passages, traffic loads, and seismic activity. 
• Rugged Field Enclosure – weatherproof, vibration-resistant design for long-term outdoor deployment. 
• Flexible Connectivity – USB, Ethernet, and optional cellular/Wi-Fi modules for remote data transfer. 
• Scalable Architecture – multiple DAQs can be networked together for large bridge or structural monitoring campaigns. 
• Low Power Operation – optimized for continuous operation in remote or energy-limited sites. 
• Real-Time Monitoring – provides synchronized, time-stamped data across multiple sensor channels.
   

• Bridge Structural Health Monitoring – continuous monitoring of strain, vibration, rotation, and stress during service loads. 
• Load Rating & Testing – collect synchronized data during controlled load tests or train passages. 
• Railway Infrastructure – deploy alongside SmartRock or Stress Cells to monitor track–structure interaction. 
• Geotechnical & Tunneling – capture stress, displacement, and acceleration data in underground projects. 
• Long-Term Remote Monitoring – reliable solution for distributed sensing in hard-to-access locations.
   

• Serves as the central hub for RTS sensor systems. 
• Direct integration with RTS software for visualization, analysis, and reporting. 
• Eliminates need for multiple DAQ brands — one system for all RTS instruments. 
• Enables real-time structural insights with remote connectivity. 
• Robust enough for field deployment on bridges, railroads, and geotechnical sites.