In the world of rail transportation, maintaining the track infrastructure is crucial for ensuring smooth operations, passenger safety and timely service. But with around 20,000 miles of track and thousands of signals and level crossings across the UK to keep in good working order, it can be challenging.
Britain has one of the oldest railways in the world, with the first British public railway opening in 1825, and in 2021-22 it carried out 990 million passenger journeys – making it one of the most used railways in the world.
Keeping the track well maintained is a top priority. Traditional approaches to track maintenance are typically reactive, addressing issues only after they occur. While this approach ensures issues are fixed, it can also lead to service failure, costly repairs and could compromise the safety of the track.
The advent of advanced technology and data analytics has given birth to a new way of managing track maintenance and a new paradigm has emerged: predictive maintenance. This proactive approach offers significant advantages in improving rail network performance, enhancing reliability and saving costs compared with reactive approaches.
Reactive maintenance involves responding to failures and issues as they happen. This approach often leads to disruptions in service, delays and unplanned downtime. Not only do these incidents inconvenience passengers, but they also result in increased costs for repairs, emergency responses and lost revenue.
In contrast, predictive maintenance leverages data analysis, machine learning algorithms, and sensor technology to identify potential failures before they become a problem. By gathering and analysing data on parameters such as track condition, temperature, vibration and stress levels, predictive maintenance systems can use this intelligence to detect early signs of wear, fatigue or other abnormalities.
Armed with these valuable insights, maintenance teams can make informed decisions, prioritise areas of concern and take proactive measures. One of the key benefits of predictive maintenance is improved rail network performance. By continuously monitoring the condition of tracks, rail operators can identify areas that require attention and schedule maintenance activities accordingly.
Adopting this approach can help minimise the chances of unexpected failures, reduce the frequency and duration of service disruptions and optimise the utilisation of maintenance resources. As a result, trains can operate more efficiently, adhering to schedules and providing reliable transportation services to passengers.
Predictive maintenance also helps to extend the lifespan of track components by identifying and rectifying issues early, ensuring their optimal performance and reducing the need for costly replacements. It can also help prevent damage to trains, be used to improve void detection and limit point machines failure which can lead to serious railroad accidents such as derailment.
Reliability is another critical aspect where predictive maintenance excels compared to reactive approaches. By detecting potential failures in advance, rail operators can proactively address them, reducing the risk of major breakdowns. This enhances the overall reliability of the rail network and boosts passenger confidence in the system and reduces reliability-related complaints.
From April 2022 to March 2023, there were a total of 346,758 complaints closed by train operators. The top complaint category was around punctuality and reliability, accounting for 18% of all complaints.
Predictive maintenance also minimises the likelihood of safety incidents and accidents caused by track defects. By identifying and rectifying track issues before they become critical, rail operators can significantly improve the safety of their operations and provide a secure environment for passengers and employees alike.
Cost savings are a substantial advantage of adopting predictive maintenance strategies. While reactive maintenance often incurs higher costs due to emergency repairs and the associated operational disruptions, predictive maintenance enables efficient planning and allocation of maintenance resources.
By addressing issues proactively, rail operators can reduce the need for expensive emergency repairs and unplanned downtime. Predictive maintenance also helps optimise maintenance schedules, allowing operators to perform maintenance activities during off-peak hours, minimising service disruptions and revenue losses. Overall, the cost savings achieved through predictive maintenance can be substantial, leading to improved financial performance for rail operators.
RailSense has emerged as a leader in providing innovative solutions for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. Our cutting-edge technology combines sensor data, machine learning algorithms and real-time analytics to monitor the health of tracks and predict potential failures.
Our solutions enable continuous monitoring of track parameters, including temperature, stress, strain and track geometry. By analysing this data, systems can detect anomalies and issue early warnings, allowing maintenance teams to intervene and rectify issues before they impact operations.
One of the key strengths of our solutions is our ability to integrate seamlessly into existing rail infrastructure. Systems can be retrofitted to existing tracks, making it easy for rail operators to adopt predictive maintenance practices without significant disruptions or capital investments.
RailSense also provide comprehensive data visualisation and reporting capabilities, enabling operators to gain valuable insights into the health of their track assets and make data-driven decisions regarding maintenance strategies and resource allocation. Which can help extend asset life and improve rail health and safety.
The shift from reactive to predictive maintenance approaches has revolutionised track maintenance in the rail industry. By adopting predictive maintenance practices, rail operators can improve network performance, optimise servicing and repairs, enhance reliability and achieve substantial cost savings.
RailSense’s advanced solutions for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance play a crucial role in preventing network failures. By leveraging our cutting-edge technology, rail operators can proactively identify and address track issues, ensuring smooth operations, passenger satisfaction and the long-term sustainability of rail networks.
RailSense products:
VoidSense®, a technology that senses voids and under-track movement. By continuously monitoring the stability of tracks, it helps identify potential track bed issues that could compromise rail safety.
With TempSense®, rail operators can track critical rail temperature (CRT) in real-time, allowing them to take necessary precautions in extreme weather conditions.
BuckleSense® is designed to detect possible hot-weather buckle occurrences, which can cause severe accidents if not addressed promptly.
GaugeSense® is a remote monitoring solution that measures changes in gauge and track geometry. By keeping a close eye on these parameters, rail operators can identify anomalies and take corrective measures to prevent accidents.
MultiSense® allows for multiple wireless sensor configurations over a wide area of rail, providing comprehensive coverage for enhanced safety monitoring.
TrackWater® is a groundbreaking solution that offers flooding alerts and monitors silt levels to ensure proper drainage. Flooding poses a significant threat to rail infrastructure, and timely alerts can help operators take necessary precautions and prevent damage.
By leveraging RailSense’s advanced technologies, rail operators can improve rail safety and enhance reliability, while reducing maintenance costs. Remote, real-time monitoring allows for early detection of potential issues, enabling proactive maintenance interventions. This approach minimises service disruptions, optimises asset longevity, and ultimately saves lives.
The importance of rail safety cannot be overstated. Protecting lives and valuable assets is a shared responsibility that requires a proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by rail networks. By investing in innovative solutions and leveraging cutting-edge technologies like those offered by RailSense, rail operators can create a safer, more reliable transportation system that benefits everyone.
Source 1: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/about-us
Sources 2: https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/uk-railway-maintenance/626/
Source 3: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rail-factsheet-2022/rail-factsheet-2022
Source 4: https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/media/2211/passenger-rail-service-complaints-2022-23-q4.pdf