We provide interim and project management services to the UK Rail industry focussing on

• Infrastructure asset management

• Train performance management

• Compliance with HMRI, ORR, SRA and RSSB requirements

• Process development and change management

We have extensive experience in rail infrastructure asset information management coupled with detailed working knowledge of rail operations particularly in relation to train performance. This has been achieved over a ten year period working on a series of projects. Key areas of work have included;

‘Measuring the railway’ carried out in 1995 for Railtrack to provide an accurate valuation of the UK rail infrastructure prior to vesting. This involved a data collection and data cleansing exercise based on the legacy GEOGIS database The figures on numbers of bridges, stations, miles of track etc. identified during this project are still in use by Network Rail. This project was followed up by the creation of a set of standards and procedures for the use of GEOGIS to ensure that data quality did not deteriorate again.

‘Project Rubicon’ carried out in 1996 to provide an accurate understanding prior to Railtrack’s flotation, of how the rail Performance Regime would be operated. Essentially this involved ensuring that all equipment used to locate and identify trains and their times of arrival etc. was in a known location and efficiently providing the necessary information to support the process.

‘HMRI Action 5’ in 1996 involved the preparation of a response to a critical report made by the HMRI on Railtrack’s asset data management. This involved extensive analysis of how relevant data was stored managed and used by different engineering functions in different Railtrack Zones, how asset information flowed across organisational boundaries and how information on different assets was configured.

‘Y2K’ from 1996 to 1999 involved an analysis of existing data sources and quality within Railtrack, development of the processes for managing the extraction of data from existing sources (including any requirements for data collection), identifying Y2K compliance or otherwise and provision of remedial action or replacement. Following the process development stage the assignment moved on to the management of data on multiple instances of approx 7000 different objects through the process to ensure Y2K compliance.

‘Strategic Rail Data’ in 1999 for OIS Surveys Ltd (later Survey Inspection Systems Ltd) involved the development of requirements and a design for a centralised database of railway data. This involved researching how data was used across the multitude of companies and functions within companies that existed at the time in the UK rail industry and how data might be accessed, displayed in relation to GIS systems, and updated in a controlled manner.

‘Bruce’ from 2000 to 2004 for Rotherfield Peppard plc. concerned the development of a hand held device to be issued to train drivers that would provide real time train positioning data by use of GPS synchronised with the drivers’ schedules and diagrams and allowing for dynamic fault reporting and reassignment of drivers in the event of delays and other incidents to reduce knock-on effects and provide more accurate information for input to the Performance Regime. The work involved workshops with train drivers, understanding of geofencing and GPS effectiveness in various areas and the development of training programmes and roll-out plans. The device was trialled on the Connex network but not implemented due to their loss of franchise. In addition this project involved development of a proposal for the electronic roll out of operating notices to drivers with dynamic positional alerts.

Other assignments in the industry have included

• researching and recommending the reorganisation of the Civil Engineering team at Railtrack

• development of an interim cost control system for Railtrack Midland Major Projects Division

• extensive involvement in the development of requirements for an integrated asset management system for Railtrack including membership of steering committees and advisory groups over a period between 1995 and 1998

• preparation and assessment of an ITT for the collection of asset data for Railtrack North West Zone

• production of Hazard Directories for Railtrack North West, Great Western and Southern Zones geographically identifying health and safety hazards and access routes for people working on the Railway

• advising Spear Technologies in the USA on the intricacies of UK rail geography, the differences between linear and fixed point infrastructure asset data management and the infrastructure asset information requirements of the UK rail industry prior to their development of the Spear 3i enterprise asset management product

• advising the Serco bid team on asset information management systems for the Docklands Light Railway refranchise bid

The majority of these assignments have involved working on a cross functional, cross company basis with all levels of staff from front line to director level requiring understanding both of the ‘big picture’ and the relevant detail that supports it.

Working with our partners, Spear Technologies, Rotherfield Peppard plc and Survey Inspection Systems Ltd we have vast experience and knowledge of how the rail industry operates in the UK from infrastructure survey, maintenance and renewal through the complex maze of organisational relationships to the intricacies of train operating performance and why delays occur.

Spear 3i - is the ultimate infrastructure and vehicle asset management system providing integrated maintenance and other management information on rolling stock and fixed linear and point assets to a high level of detail. We have extensive experience in managing the change from existing ad-hoc systems and other proprietary systems covering single asset types to the integrated Spear 3i system.

Spear is a leading provider of Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems and services for maintenance and materials management for moving and infrastructure assets. Our software and services are focused on maintaining high-value moving assets such as rail rolling stock, buses, aircraft, vessels, and vehicle support fleets. Spear also specializes in fixed and linear assets such as passenger terminals, airports, rail permanent way, and roadways.

BRUCE - the train driver assistance system - is a solution to many of the reasons why trains don't run on time. It provides the driver with up to the minute information on operations and automatically informs control of current train location and status. Importantly it gives the driver more control as the person in charge of the train and reduces cumbersome paperwork.

SHEILA - train diagram display system -  is a solution to many of the issues involved in staff rostering and duty diagramming. It allows diagrams and schedules to be produced electronically (for delivery to the driver by BRUCE) and for rapid changes to be made when necessary. SHEILA provides easy access to Train Crew Planning Data and is designed for use by service delivery staff to assist them to perform their daily tasks.

ILSA - train delay incident system -  is a solution to the problems involved in managing train delay incidents and the provision of accurate reports for train performance analysis.