Range-finding based image processing rail way servicing apparatus and method

The repair and maintenance of railroad rights of way have always been of prime consideration to ensure safe and reliable passage of passenger and freight trains. The railroad tracks upon which these trains travel are subject to frequent and heavy traffic and loading. The cost of maintaining these tracks also is commensurate with such traffic and requires significant expenditures for materials as well as labor for installation of the materials. A method and an apparatus for identifying a feature of a railway and deploying equipment for servicing same by image processing range data pertaining to the railway feature. The method includes identifying a feature of a railway, wherein the identifying involves processing an image corresponding to ranges to the feature. The apparatus includes a vision system for determining a range to a feature of the railway and means for positioning equipment relative to, for servicing, the feature, based on the range.