Network Rail’s intelligent infrastructure program, which incorporates an Intelligent Infrastructure Management (IIM) system for remote conditioning monitoring has been put in place by Thales UK. The system allows Network Rail to reduce delays caused by asset failure, improving the efficiency and reliability of the infrastructure. It constantly monitors the performance of key rail assets such as points, track circuits and signaling power; it then raises alerts and alarms when those assets are trending towards failure, enabling corrective action to be taken to avoid disruption.
Network Rail selected Thales UK in 2009 to pilot an IIM system between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Following a successful pilot, the system has now been rolled out nationally, and today monitors over 22,000 assets. Remote monitoring has removed the need for 15,000 site visits.
According to Thales, IIM programs can transform railway operations: increasing network availability, reducing delays and making the customer experience smoother and more reliable.