Rail maintenance staff issued with handhelds

Network Rail is issuing handheld devices to telecoms and signal maintenance staff to improve efficiency of repairs and cut paper and administration costs.

Some 1,100 devices will replace paper-based reporting of maintenance tasks, and will be in place by September.

A Network Rail spokeswoman says the devices will lessen the administrative burden of processing reports manually.

‘Previously, work groups had to go out with notepads and write down what the problem was and what work was completed, return the notes to the depot and have them signed off by management,’ she said.

Maintenance staff now pick up a device from a docking station at the depot and take it on site. The Symbol handheld contains information on the work to be completed and is updated on completion of tasks.

‘The device is returned to the docking station and downloaded into the central system,’ said the spokeswoman. ‘It can also include extra information needed by the work groups.

‘If maintenance staff need to flag up further issues for attention, they can use the device.’

Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney says it is a simple work order system that is popular with many rail operators because of its reliability and accuracy.

‘The biggest benefit is data accuracy, because paper reports can be prone to error once they leave the work site,’ he said. ‘Symbol devices are reliable and durable, which is important for work in the field.

‘Because it is not wireless, information transmitted is not as timely, but maintenance staff often work in areas where there is no coverage.’

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