Network Rail is planning remote monitoring of the condition of trackside assets to improve safety and reliability.

Data and alarm management systems will be implemented over the next five years during renewal works. The systems will add intelligence into the core rail infrastructure.

Network Rail says the project will allow assets, such as signals and power supplies, to self-monitor and diagnose, with information relayed to engineering staff.

‘Engineers will be advised of assets in a deteriorating condition, allowing timely intervention that will minimise disruptions,’ said a spokesman.

‘Analysis of the data will also improve our understanding of asset failure, allowing for better asset design. This is part of our philosophy to predict and prevent, rather than find and fix.’

Network Rail has begun the procurement process for the new technology with a centralised data management system, expected to be installed by the end of 2007.

The system will collate, store and analyse data received from monitoring equipment, provide real-time data processing to determine trends, and display graphics of asset condition.

An alarm management system will control alarms generated by the system, alerting engineers to problems. Network Rail plans to integrate this with existing asset inventory and fault management systems, and send alarms to mobile devices.

Network Rail has been building its knowledge of assets in recent years, says Association of Train Operating Companies spokesman Hassard Stackpool.

‘The condition of railway infrastructure was not well-known when Network Rail took over from Railtrack four years ago,’ he said.

‘But technology that allows the company to know the condition of assets will enable it to manage engineering works better, ensuring minimal disruption for operators and passengers.’

Stackpool says the technology will improve performance, reliability and safety by monitoring trackside assets as well as how they integrate with the trains.

Jane Cobell, spokeswoman for rail watchdog Passenger Focus, says passengers want reliable trains, and any technology that improves reliability is welcome.

‘Network Rail has had problems with its efficiency and reliability in the past, but is working hard to improve its business,’ she said.

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