Computational Technology Resources - CCP

Keywords: track maintenance, machinery, approvals, vehicle acceptance body.

Summary

New techniques and innovative applications of technology are an essential feature of the continuing future development of the United Kingdom rail infrastructure industry. Throughout the last twenty years, introducing new machinery has appeared to become an increasingly difficult process. This was mainly due to the privatisation of United Kingdom railways which introduced a complex matrix of approvals and an increased reluctance by commercial organisations to take measured risks. There were many drivers in the post privatisation United Kingdom rail industry in early 2004 to expedite new ideas and transfer advanced technology. These were centred around the contractual framework for rail access and a desire to reduce costs and improve safety and performance in infrastructure activity.

There were four innovative techniques introduced; the Railvac vacuum reballasting machine from Sweden, the Sersa second Life timber treatment system, the heater rail restressing system from Switzerland, and the Zollner portable automatic track warning system from Germany. The latter three were subject only to the product acceptance process which worked very well with the specialist support and risk analysis of some inspired supportive client engineers. The Railvac machine had to go through both product acceptance and vehicle acceptance. The latter process required the involvement of an approved Vehicle Acceptance Body (VAB). This was because it was classified as a train even though at this stage it would not travel on a open line.

The success of the project to introduce these new techniques in the United Kingdom is demonstrated by two factors; the live use of equipment to solve challenging problems within the United Kingdom rail infrastructure that could not have been achieved using conventional methods within predetermined time cost parameters; and the adoption of national policies for such techniques by Network Rail as part of its agreement with the Office of Rail Regulation for the next five year funding control period 2014-2019.

There are many challenges and difficulties in the pursuit of innovation especially in the railway industry where safety is paramount and most activities are in the public view. However, it is usually a balance between risk and human will, and in all cases there has to be an economic driver albeit a direct cost saving or a solution to a performance or time related issue. The key factors demonstrated in these projects generally relate to a simplification of appropriate technology and a people and team based approach to problem solving. There can no better endorsement of an idea than its incorporation into United Kingdom national policy.

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Front Page Browse CCP CSETS CTR IJRT Other Authors Search Purchase Guide FAQ Contact us	Civil-Comp Proceedings ISSN 1759-3433 CCP: 98 PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RAILWAY TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE Edited by: J. Pombo Paper 54 Heavy Rail Maintenance Machinery and System Innovations: The Technical, Procedural and Human Challenges Posed by Their Introduction and Piloting within the United Kingdom B. Counter¹, A. Abutair², A. Franklin³ and D. Tann⁴ ¹School of Technology, University of Derby, United Kingdom ²School of Advanced Technology, University of Glamorgan, United Kingdom ³Asset Management, Great Western, Network Rail, United Kingdom ⁴School of Engineering, London South Bank University, United Kingdom doi:10.4203/ccp.98.54 purchase the full-text of this paper Full Bibliographic Reference for this paper B. Counter, A. Abutair, A. Franklin, D. Tann, "Heavy Rail Maintenance Machinery and System Innovations: The Technical, Procedural and Human Challenges Posed by Their Introduction and Piloting within the United Kingdom", in J. Pombo, (Editor), "Proceedings of the First International Conference on Railway Technology: Research, Development and Maintenance", Civil-Comp Press, Stirlingshire, UK, Paper 54, 2012. doi:10.4203/ccp.98.54 Keywords: track maintenance, machinery, approvals, vehicle acceptance body. Summary New techniques and innovative applications of technology are an essential feature of the continuing future development of the United Kingdom rail infrastructure industry. Throughout the last twenty years, introducing new machinery has appeared to become an increasingly difficult process. This was mainly due to the privatisation of United Kingdom railways which introduced a complex matrix of approvals and an increased reluctance by commercial organisations to take measured risks. There were many drivers in the post privatisation United Kingdom rail industry in early 2004 to expedite new ideas and transfer advanced technology. These were centred around the contractual framework for rail access and a desire to reduce costs and improve safety and performance in infrastructure activity. There were four innovative techniques introduced; the Railvac vacuum reballasting machine from Sweden, the Sersa second Life timber treatment system, the heater rail restressing system from Switzerland, and the Zollner portable automatic track warning system from Germany. The latter three were subject only to the product acceptance process which worked very well with the specialist support and risk analysis of some inspired supportive client engineers. The Railvac machine had to go through both product acceptance and vehicle acceptance. The latter process required the involvement of an approved Vehicle Acceptance Body (VAB). This was because it was classified as a train even though at this stage it would not travel on a open line. The success of the project to introduce these new techniques in the United Kingdom is demonstrated by two factors; the live use of equipment to solve challenging problems within the United Kingdom rail infrastructure that could not have been achieved using conventional methods within predetermined time cost parameters; and the adoption of national policies for such techniques by Network Rail as part of its agreement with the Office of Rail Regulation for the next five year funding control period 2014-2019. There are many challenges and difficulties in the pursuit of innovation especially in the railway industry where safety is paramount and most activities are in the public view. However, it is usually a balance between risk and human will, and in all cases there has to be an economic driver albeit a direct cost saving or a solution to a performance or time related issue. The key factors demonstrated in these projects generally relate to a simplification of appropriate technology and a people and team based approach to problem solving. There can no better endorsement of an idea than its incorporation into United Kingdom national policy. purchase the full-text of this paper (price £20) go to the previous paper go to the next paper return to the table of contents return to the book description purchase this book (price £110 +P&P)
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