Rail plays a vital role rail in achieving net zero carbon emissions in the UK, and ensuring worker safety is a continuing priority across the industry. Trackside environments are inherently high risk, and rail accidents can have devastating consequences, resulting in loss of lives and significant damage to infrastructure and assets. According to the Office of Rail and Road Rail Safety Report 2021-2022, there were 9,065 workforce and non-workforce injuries on the mainline.
Addressing the issues faced by rail networks in terms of reliability, infrastructure maintenance and network performance is essential to enhance safety and protect both human lives and valuable resources.
One of the primary challenges faced by rail operators is the reliability of infrastructure. The average age of rolling stock for all passenger train operators as of 31 March 2022 was 16.9 years. Aging tracks, bridges and signalling systems can also lead to disruptions and failures, compromising the safety of train operations. These issues not only pose risks to passengers but also result in significant costs due to service delays and downtime. It is crucial to address these reliability concerns proactively to minimise the impact on rail services.
Moreover, maintaining and replacing rail assets is a costly endeavour. As of March 2022 the total number of mainline stations reached 2,570. The expenses associated with ensuring safety, such as routine inspections, repairs and upgrades, can accumulate over time. By investing in cutting-edge technologies and leveraging innovative solutions, rail operators can achieve two-fold benefits: improved safety and reduced long-term costs.
With the demand on rail travel increasing, the Rail in Great Britain Report found 990 million passenger rail journeys took place in 2021-22, the industry must seek new ways to improve its resilience and reliability.
By deploying advanced monitoring systems, they can detect potential issues before they escalate into major problems, allowing for timely maintenance interventions that can decrease downtime and service delays and minimise the risk of accidents and further damage to the assets and infrastructure.
At RailSense, enhancing rail safety is at our core and we understand the important role technology plays in helping rail networks protect lives and assets while optimising their rail infrastructure lifecycle costs.
Our commitment to delivering cutting-edge technologies enable rail operators to stay ahead of potential safety risks. Our comprehensive product range for remote, real-time monitoring, enables proactive identification of safety concerns and ensures a swift response to mitigate risks.
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: https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/media/2131/rail-safety-april-2021-to-march-2022.pdf
Source: https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/media/2139/rail-infrastructure-assets-apr-2021-mar-2022.pdf
Source: https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/media/2139/rail-infrastructure-assets-apr-2021-mar-2022.pdf
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rail-factsheet-2022/rail-factsheet-2022