
Enhancing Rail Infrastructure with Phase One P5 and Quantum Systems’ Trinity Pro: Advanced Fixed-Wing VTOL UAVs and High-Resolution Imaging
Railway infrastructure serves as a vital backbone for the transportation of goods and passengers
A well-maintained railway network is essential not only for efficient passenger and freight operations but also for reducing environmental impact by encouraging a shift from road to rail transport. As demand for rail services continues to rise, the integration of advanced technologies, such as UAVs, is revolutionizing the industry by enhancing efficiency and reliability. Advanced UAV technology enables precise mapping, damage assessment, and predictive maintenance in rail networks. Applications include inspecting track conditions, track geometry survey, evaluating bridge structures, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
Infrabel: Leading Innovation While Tackling High-Traffic Challenges
Infrabel, responsible for building, maintaining, and modernizing 6,500 km of main tracks and managing over 4,300 bridges in the densely populated country of Belgium, is a European leader in adopting advanced technologies for network operations. However, with high traffic on the network, operators face significant challenges. They must find innovative methods for surveying and inspecting tracks and the countless signaling systems without disrupting traffic or compromising user safety. UAVs equipped with high-resolution cameras, like the Phase One P5, are instrumental in detecting track wear and identifying vegetation encroachment. These applications reduce the need for manual inspections, minimizing human risk and operational delays.
Phase One P5 and Quantum’s Trinity Pro
While quadcopters may suffice for small-scale railway inspections, they are not ideal for surveying long stretches of track efficiently. A VTOL drone like the Trinity Pro, paired with the Phase One P5 camera, offers a more advanced solution. This combination enables the collection of high-resolution imagery from a safe altitude, ensuring exceptional data quality with low ground sample distance (GSD). The Phase One P5’s ultra-high-resolution capabilities are particularly.
Equipment and Project set up
UAV: Quantum Systems Trinity Pro (PPK)
Payload: Phase One P5 80mm lens
Flight details and conditions:
Height: 60m / 200ft
Conditions: Sunny day
UAV cruise speed: 18 m/s
Total number of images capture: 972
Railway length covered: 2 km
Flight time: 6min
This configuration is particularly suited for applications like 3D modeling of rail corridors, monitoring infrastructure degradation over time, and supporting digital twin initiatives for BIM applications and predictive maintenance planning.



High accuracy and productivity in corridor mapping.

No blur even on the objects moving in opposite direction.
Combining high frame rate and high shutter speed is essential for corridor mapping.
Project results
With a ground resolution of 0.26 cm / 0.1 in, this setup enables the detection of minute defects such as cracks in rails or ballast displacement. These insights empower operators to address issues proactively, ensuring uninterrupted service and enhanced safety.
Phase One P5
Phase One P5 is a light, metrically calibrated, ultra-high-resolution camera (128MP) designed for fixed wing UAVs such as Quantum Systems Trinity Pro which provides consistent superior imaging even in complex operational environments such as high contrast lighting conditions, windy days, and complex terrains / morphology.
In railwork, the Phase One P5 is ideal for detecting fine cracks in rail joints, assessing structural integrity of tunnels and bridges, and mapping areas prone to landslides. Its high dynamic range ensures clarity even in shadowed or high-contrast environments, common in railway corridors.

Conclusions
Olivier Beckers from the Drone Competence Center at Infrabel highlights the transformative potential of these advancements:
“Innovation and investment in cutting-edge technologies are essential for Infrabel to meet the growing demands of our customers. The Phase One P5 camera and Trinity Pro UAV have delivered remarkable results, combining efficiency with exceptional detail and quality in imagery. We are excited to explore how these capabilities can further enhance our operations, streamline maintenance, and elevate safety standards for rail infrastructure.”
Access P5 datasets here.
About Quantum Systems
Quantum Systems specializes in the development, design, and production of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS). The company’s range of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) sUAS are built to maximize range and versatility and provide operators with a seamless user experience. By integrating cutting-edge software capabilities like edge computing and real-time AI-powered data processing, Quantum Systems builds next-generation UAS for security, defence, public safety, commercial and GIS operations customers across the globe.
Quantum-Systems is a global company, founded in 2015 and headquartered at Special Airport Oberpfaffenhofen, 20 km west of Munich, with business locations in the United States, Australia and Ukraine.
About Phase One
Phase One is a global leader in digital imaging technology. The company provides unrivaled imaging quality for a wide range of applications, from professional photography to heritage digitization, industrial inspections, aerial mapping, security and space.
For more than three decades, Phase One has developed core imaging technologies and a range of digital cameras and imaging modules, setting new standards for image quality in terms of resolution, dynamic range, color fidelity and geometric accuracy.
Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, and with regional offices strategically located in Denver, Cologne, Tel Aviv, Saku, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, Phase One nurtures long-term relationships with customers, technology partners and its global network of distributors, often playing the role of digital imaging partner to customers with unique requirements. It is with this passion for service that Phase One continually exceeds expectations and drives the imaging industry forward.
We deliver Imaging Beyond Imagination.
About Infrabel
Infrabel is the Belgian railway infrastructure manager. We build, maintain and modernise the network.
Infrabel is also responsible for the allocation of train-paths and the coordination of train traffic throughout Belgium
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