The Intercontinental Park Lane was abuzz with excitement last Thursday as the Railway Industry Association (RIA) Annual Dinner took place. The event, attended by 400 industry professionals, was eagerly anticipated for the announcement of the Railway Industry Supplier Excellence (RISE) Awards. This prestigious ceremony celebrates the outstanding achievements and excellence within the UK rail supply community, and this year’s event witnessed a record number of 90 entries across 11 categories.
Transmission Dynamics proudly attended the event as finalists within the ‘Innovation’ and ‘Partnership’ award categories. Transmission Dynamics, in collaboration with Angel Trains, Network Rail, and West Midlands Trains, emerged as winners in the Partnership category for our innovative and comprehensive IIoT train borne monitoring solution, Trains with Brains®. This project was no small feat, involving extensive technical developments, numerous external partners, a live trial, and a resulting business case – all accomplished in a staggering 12 months.
This cutting-edge technical solution addresses the current challenges in the rail industry. By networking a range of train borne remote condition monitoring sensors together, this revolutionary system provides advanced onboard analytics on routinely operating trains, delivering unparalleled rail infrastructure and asset monitoring intelligence.
One of the key features of Trains with Brains® is its bidirectional data integration between solution providers and asset/infrastructure owners. This integration allows operations and maintenance teams to prioritise and address known issues more efficiently and effectively. By seamlessly integrating intelligence into existing systems and processes, maintenance planning for scheduled possessions become significantly more informed.
During a 3-month demonstration with Network Rail between January and March 2023, Trains with Brains® proved its effectiveness in improving rail maintenance practices. Key Performance Indicators clearly demonstrated increased identification and removal of infrastructure defects, reduced service delays, and associated cost savings. Notably, the technology even identified new types of defects that fell outside traditional maintenance standards, leading to further improvements in safety and operation efficiency.
The benefits of Trains with Brains® extend throughout the entire rail supply chain. Train Operating Companies gain valuable insights into identified faults, allowing them to enhance their services and continually improve their operations. Rolling Stock Leasing Companies, on the other hand, benefit from the system’s ability to enhance the integrity of their assets by reducing pantograph related issues and associated safety risks.
The success of Trains with Brains® signifies a major advancement in rail industry monitoring and maintenance practices. By embracing innovation and collaboration, Transmission Dynamics are setting a new standard for excellence in the sector.