TOP 5 Innovations in Rail Construction - Raildiary
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TOP 5 Innovations in Rail Construction
As rail contractors around the UK compete to win new tenders, innovation is becoming more and more pivotal as a differentiator. With the industry growing and large projects on the horizon there is increasing pressure to deliver more, for less. Huge infrastructure schemes are expected to be completed for less money, in shorter time frames, whilst skilled workers are looking to other industries. As a result, contractors and clients alike are looking for new ways to improve safety, reduce costs and scale projects. Technology can help solve these challenges. We’ve compiled case studies of the top 5 innovations in rail construction.
01 Augmented Reality and Holographic Projection
AUGMENTED REALITY AND HOLOGRAPHIC
PROJECTION
What is Augmented Why is AR a good fit
Reality? for construction?
AR is the process of using digital Self-contained
holograms to enhance the physical (no wires or connections)
space.
Can be used in wearable
Holograms are blended into the real technology
world so you can interact with them
Allows annotations, screenshots
as you would with physical objects.
and replay
AR is not to be confused with virtual
reality [VR] which fully immerses Enhances user’s vision
the user in a virtual environment, so
Use with key stakeholders to share
they are disconnected from their
design and progress with them
surroundings.
Create safer and more efficient
training environments
CASE STUDY /01
Testing design functionality:
The mixed reality helmet
Dura Vermeer1 and Recreate teamed up to create the EBMR - Engineering Building
Mixed Reality - helmet.
The helmet overlays a 3D holographic rendering of the construction design over the
user’s view of the building site. Before a single brick has been laid, project managers
can see exactly how it will look and function within the space.
Construction workers can walk around the site and see exactly where each element
will go using satellite positioning data. Dura Vermeer have already been using the
technology on site and have found that it speeds up decision making and processes,
improves accuracy of measurements and ultimately delivers a better quality project,
by removing the guesswork from interpreting drawings.
This particular use for AR is becoming popular. HS1 is introducing headsets to create
training environments for maintenance workers, so they no longer need to spend large
amounts of time on track.
1
https://www.xsens.com/news/new-mixed-reality-holographic-projector-for-construction-sites
CASE STUDY /02
Collaboration with stakeholders:
Smart eyewear technology
Boston commuter rail workers are using smart glasses to increase the efficiency of
repairs. Keolis Commuter Services2 launched the glasses that allow field staff to transmit
real-time images to technicians in the office. The aim is to facilitate faster communication
and repairs through live video as the repairs are carried out.
The glasses also enable annotations to be added to the image in vision, screenshots
and replays. KCS have noted the following benefits so far:
• Drivers and other staff can make emergency repairs without waiting
for a mechanic.
• Trains don’t need to be transported for repair.
• Experts can be consulted immediately.
• Workers learn more through the visual experience.
Smart glasses are also being used by Network Rail High Speed Rail in the UK, for remote
support to engineers.
2
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602188/commuter-rail-workers-in-boston-are-about-to-get-bionic-eyes
02 Thermal and Visual Imaging Equipment
THERMAL AND VISUAL IMAGING EQUIPMENT
What is visual imaging? How are they good for
Visual imaging is the traditional construction?
imaging method of photo and video.
Assess maintenance needs
In this context it refers to high-tech
without going on track
cameras that can spot potential faults
from huge distances. Survey large surface areas very
quickly
Detect moisture, heat and air
leakage
What is thermal
imaging?
Thermal imaging is the technique of
using the heat given off by an object
to produce an image of and locate it.
CASE STUDY Network Rail surveillance Network Rail displayed their revamped survey helicopters3 this year at Rail Live 2019. The helicopters feature high-tech thermal and visual equipment that allows maintenance teams to quickly assess large areas and capture the smallest faults or environmental risks. Network Rail’s visual imaging cameras can read the identification plates of equipment from as high as 1,000 feet. Its multiple lenses can switch between close up photography of infrastructure, inspecting lineside structures and RouteView imaging. The thermal imaging camera, which can operate in all conditions, identifies ‘hotspots’ that signal a piece of equipment is malfunctioning. This means that faults can be detected before they cause disruption on the line. 3 https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/our-fleet-machines-and-vehicles/air-operations/ helicopter-and-imaging-equipment/
03 Digital Twin Models
DIGITAL TWIN MODELS
What are digital twin models? How are they good
A digital twin model is a digital representation of a physical object. The technology was for construction?
first used by NASA to mock up full-scale space capsules, but now it extends even to full
Real-time twinning offers early
Cities.
insight into potential faults
The twin model uses live data from sensors based on the real-world counterpart so it
Manage assets more effectively
simulates the structure in real time. They represent an ecosystem of data from a range
of sources, rather than presenting a single source of truth. Plan and schedule maintenance
Digital twins are a huge industry priority at this point in time. On 9th September 2019,
CDBB and the Institute of Civil Engineers partnered to host ‘National Digital Twin Day’,
a workshop focusing on digital transformation. Gartner predicts that by 2021, half of all
large industrial companies will use digital twins, resulting in those organisations gaining
a 10% improvement in effectiveness.DIGITAL TWIN MODELS How are digital twins produced? To fully implement a digital twin takes six stages, along a scale of connectivity and complexity4. Stage 0. Reality capture. A picture of the existing physical assets is built using surveying equipment such as drones. Stage 1. A 2D map or 3D model is built, reflecting the object only. This is shape without intelligence. Stage 2. The model is enriched with data sets. Static data (documents and drawings) as well as metadata such as BIM are used. Stage 3. The twin is connected with real-time, dynamic data like aweather and wind speed. Stage 4. Two way integration from physical to digital is introduced. The physical object communicates with the digital twin. Stage 5. Autonomous operations and maintenance. The digital twin reflects the state and conditions of the physical object. 4 https://www.snclavalin.com/en/beyond-engineering/beyond-buzzwords-digital-twin- maturity-spectrum
CASE STUDY /01
A complete network: Crossrail
London’s Crossrail5 uses a digital twin model of the entire
network including facilities, systems and environments.
This detailed model helps engineers and data scientists
assess the impact of changes, respond to problems quickly,
optimise designs and minimise waste.
In the future they can further use this learning to design
smarter networks.
5
https://www.wifispark.com/blog/6-important-rail-industry-innovation-ideas-for-2019CASE STUDY /02
Fleet maintenance: Alstom
Alstom6 uses a digital twin to manage the operations of the entire WCML fleet.
The twin covers the fleet itself, depots and stations. This means that Alstom
can:
• Understand fleet performance and find bottlenecks.
• Service trains more effectively with insight into scheduling strategies
and depot capacity.
• Evaluate KPIs to make more informed decisions.
6
https://www.anylogic.com/digital-twin-of-rail-network-for-train-fleet-maintenance-decision-support04 Robotics
ROBOTICS
What are robots? Why are they good
for construction?
Robots are programmable machines
capable of carrying out a complex Improve safety by carrying out
series of actions. works in dangerous areas
Robotics are already becoming more Capable of doing repetitive,
prevalent in rail from drones and strenuous tasks without injury
rovers on site, to the controversy of
autonomous trains. As well as completing tasks
more efficiently, robots can
collect data whilst they do it.
This leads to a deeper
understanding of the
infrastructure
More accurate measurements
and resultsCASE STUDY /01
Train maintenance:
The UK Rail Safety and Standards Board
In 2017 the RSSB7 funded four new robotics projects focused on train maintenance. The key aim of all four projects was
The projects covered: to improve the safety of complex
operations and make maintenance
• A cab front cleaning robot: eliminating the danger of cleaning under
more efficient.
overhead wires or at great heights.
• Wheel set inspections: sensor technology to speed up the process
With the UK rail industry growing in
of detecting hidden, crucial defects.
demand and major projects on the
• Replacing wheel sets: a more efficient and higher quality process horizon, trains have less and less
of replacing wheel sets through Robust Automated Servicing [RAS]. downtime for maintenance.
• Fluid service: the development of a fully autonomous, track-side system
for completing fluid service tasks on passenger trains.
7
https://www.roboticsbusinessreview.com/construction/robot-train-maintenance-takes-uk-railwaysCASE STUDY /02 Surveying with drones: Network Rail Network Rail uses drones across their network for surveying for faults and monitoring works and performance. A notable example is their use of drones to improve the resilience of the line between Exeter and Newton Abbot8 in 2016. To help identify areas for improvement along the Teignmouth cliff face, where the railway ran directly underneath, a drone was launched from the sea for the first time. Up close footage was gathered far more quickly than it could have been via helicopter imaging or in person, was much safer and had no impact on the surrounding environment. 8 https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/our-fleet-machines-and-vehicles/air-operations/ drones-or-unmanned-aircraft-systems-uas/
05 Predictive software and data analysis
PREDICTIVE SOFTWARE AND DATA ANALYSIS
What is predictive software? Why are they good
Predictive analysis is an advanced branch of data analytics that makes predictions for construction?
about future events. It uses a range of techniques including data mining, statistics
and machine learning. Identify cost saving opportunities
Predict delays, resource
shortages and other problems,
then intervene
How is it being used?
Test how infrastructure
Rail contractors around the UK are using data analysis to deliver more successful performs under certain
projects, but the power of predictive software is slowly becoming a priority. conditions
Network Rail’s ‘Predict and Prevent’ challenge statement is actively seeking innovative
Inform more accurate project
solutions to improve the prediction of maintenance needs and ‘deliver the data driven
estimates and tenders
railway’. In CP5 their focus was on putting data at the heart of decision making.
CP6 is about exploiting that data to predict and prevent.
They aim to do that by empowering staff to make the right decisions, giving them
up to date information about assets and supporting existing knowledge with data.
Practical applications include improving estimations and planning around how long
a fix might take, and scheduling nearby jobs together to increase efficiency.CASE STUDY Raildiary Raildiary creates digital reporting and data analysis software tailored to the rail construction industry. Our Sitediary app allows you to fill out daily reports throughout a shift, including photos and videos, then turns those reports into actionable insights and comparative data. And of course, the more data you capture with our tools, the more you can slice, dice and learn. The more you learn, the more control you exert, the better your cash flow and the more valuable your projects. More than just making data capture easy, Raildiary gives you new ways to use that project information. Insight that not only tells you everything you need to know about past or ongoing projects, but allows you to better plan future projects as well. You are your data. We’ll help you use it wisely.
CONCLUSION
How can I start innovating?
Innovation doesn’t have to be something as extreme as the examples in this booklet.
It could be a change in safety or reporting process, or making room for new and
creative ideas among the workforce.
Introducing new technology, whatever it may be, takes careful planning. Raildiary
offers a range of resources on our website to help with this:
• 7 reasons contractors need to innovate
https://www.raildiary.com/en/blog/2019/09/7-Reasons-to-innovate
• How to introduce new technology to your workforce
https://www.raildiary.com/en/blog/2019/08/How-To-Introduce-New-Technology-To-Your-Workforce
• Supervisors vs software
https://www.raildiary.com/en/blog/2019/05/Supervisors-and-Software
It is also vitally important to implement technology at the right time for the industry
to ensure widespread adoption and success. We recommend reading and using
the Gartner Hype Cycle9, a graphical report of the technology life cycle from
conception to adoption. The report highlights technologies that will deliver a high
competitive advantage over the following decade.
9
https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/5-trends-appear-on-the-gartner-hype-cycle-for-emerging-technologies-2019/Book your free product demonstration today
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