Our customer spotlight series places a focus firmly on our clients and partners leveraging Tended's geofencing technology and the inspiring work they're doing to improve safety on our railways.
Network Rail’s North and East route covers Yorkshire’s biggest cities including Sheffield and Leeds and provides vital links over the Pennines and into the North East. Maintenance of and upgrades to this important route are essential, and major projects like the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) are improving connectivity in the North East, helping to support economic growth.
Recently, to help enhance the safety of those conducting these essential maintenance and upgrade projects, Network Rail’s North and East Route has started using Tended’s geotagging solution in Retford to enhance track worker safety and improve worksite visibility.
The key objectives of this included:
- Ensuring precise placement of worksite marker boards (WSMBs) and possession limit boards (PLBs) to enhance site safety and ensure proper demarcation of worksites.
- Verifying that no equipment or objects remain on the line after work completion.
- Reducing risks associated with road-rail vehicles (RRVs) by implementing geofenced alerts near level crossings to prevent unauthorised vehicle movements.
With the project now at its midpoint, Tended’s geotagging solutions have proven instrumental in meeting these objectives and laying the foundation for a broader rollout across Network Rail’s operations.
Achievements and outcomes
1. Accurate placement of WSMBs and PLBs
Tended’s devices have significantly enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of WSMB and PLB placements:
- Dashboard integration: Locations for WSMB and PLBs were mapped within Tended’s Dashboard, aligned with each site’s safe work pack. Devices were designated to each marker board and labelled for easy identification, ensuring precise placement and clear work zone demarcation.
- Real-time monitoring: Teams on the ground could verify placement accuracy in real-time, allowing any necessary adjustments to be made immediately. This function reduced the risk of human error and increased worksite safety
2. Confirming clearance of objects from the line
To maintain operational safety, Tended’s devices automatically verified the removal of all equipment and plant from the tracks upon work completion. A final Dashboard check ensured that no objects remained within the geofenced work zones, preventing project closure until all areas were cleared, adding an additional layer of safety.
3. Real time RRV monitoring
In addition to board placement and track clearance, Tended’s devices enhanced RRV monitoring and control, addressing a significant operational risk:
- Live location tracking: Devices attached to RRVs provided real-time location data in the Dashboard, ensuring on-tracking occurred at approved locations and times. This enhanced visibility allowed site managers to monitor RRVs closely, reducing risks associated with unauthorised vehicle movements and vehicle collisions.
- Alerts at critical points: At Gringley Road level crossing, geofences were set up around RRVs stationed within the compound, preventing premature on-tracking. If an RRV attempted to leave the designated area before possession was granted, an immediate alert was triggered, minimising risks related to unauthorised movements across level crossings.
This real-time monitoring not only improved safety but also reduced reliance on two-way communication between the Engineering Supervisor (ES) and site personnel, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency.
Next steps
This project with Network Rail North and East has successfully met the primary objectives, showcasing the reliability and effectiveness of geotagging technology to support safe, efficient worksite management.
To further assess scalability and refine processes, Tended’s geotagging system will now also be used by Network Rail North and East for projects in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire commencing January 2025. This will involve gathering user feedback from frontline teams and refining workflows to help lay the foundation for a reliable, scalable solution that aligns with Network Rail’s commitment to enhancing rail safety and efficiency across its network.
