Control Periods are financial planning durations set out by Network Rail (typically five years), during which a strategic focus is placed on improving the UK’s railway infrastructure. Each Control Period marks a transformative era for the industry and the seventh period (CP7) will run from the 1st of April 2024 until the 31st of March 2029, during which Network Rail will invest £44 billion in improvements.
With CP7 just around the corner, rail companies are gearing up to secure this funding for essential infrastructure upgrades and maintenance projects. But, with a highly competitive and structured procurement process, winning Network Rail contracts calls for more than just meeting the basic requirements.
Addressing safety challenges in CP7
In a previous post, we explored the key areas of Network Rail’s CP7 strategy. In line with its focus on building bigger and better rail systems, the safety of the workers conducting these upgrades is at the heart of Network Rail’s plans.
According to the RAIB’s most recent report, track workers still face “considerable risk” and therefore, one of CP7’s key strategic objectives is to reduce safety risks to the workforce. Specifically, using technology to tackle risk, with Network Rail allocating a £138m investment in technology to support safety, signalling its importance to the sector.
Companies bidding for CP7 contracts must therefore demonstrate a commitment to the safety of their trackside teams and to stand out, a more forward-thinking approach to safety should be taken by those wanting to achieve bid success. And, with limited times in which to carry out projects (night work, tightly timed line blocks, possessions, etc.), a focus should be placed on efficient delivery as well.
With Network Rail itself investing £66m in new technology including geofencing as part of its CP7 strategy, this revolutionary technology can significantly enhance safety, reduce costs and, ultimately, help to work towards a fatality-free railway. As such, it can be a game changer in supporting your CP7 bid.
The power of geofencing technology
Geofencing technology involves creating virtual boundaries or ‘geofences’ in specified geographic areas using sophisticated geospatial data. When an assigned device enters or exits these predefined boundaries, it triggers automated responses or alerts. Geofencing has a wide range of applications and its potential within the railway industry is far-reaching.
Reducing risks to track workers
Last year, Network Rail revealed that its Safety Task Force had reduced the number of near misses between track workers and moving trains by 70%. It reported the most common cause of the remaining 30% of near misses is due to either an insufficient Safe Work Pack or a loss of worker situational awareness causing workers to stray outside of their safe working areas and into the path of hazards.
Using geofencing technology, worker situational awareness can be enhanced by providing a timely “tap on the shoulder”, keeping them within safe working limits on site. Teams are equipped with small wearable devices, and geofences are established around safe working zones. As soon as a track worker exits the designated work area, the Wearable will automatically alert them of their potentially unsafe position, augmenting situational awareness and signalling them to move back to safety. This real-time alert helps trackside teams to stay within safe working limits and out of the path of hazards such as oncoming trains or high-voltage electricity.
With the potential to revolutionise track worker safety and help keep those conducting essential maintenance and upgrades safe, geofencing plays a significant role in enhancing the strength and credibility of your CP7 bid.
Correctly placing and monitoring assets
An RAIB report found that 33% of reported significant events were caused by incorrect placement of protection equipment. And, as seen in this incident in Challow, the consequences of a train striking a stranded asset left on the track are severe.
Using geofencing technology, site operations can be modernised, enabling the accurate placement of critical assets such as marker boards and possession limit boards. By plotting the locations on an online dashboard in advance and then assigning devices to safety equipment, planners can accurately position and monitor equipment at all times.
Not only does this ensure the correct placement of protections, but, upon the completion of work, a quick scan of the dashboard will supplement the line clear verification process by showing any objects left behind onsite. This dynamic and rapid approach can therefore prevent accidents and disruptions caused by objects left on the line, significantly improving site safety without delaying the line being put back into service.
Therefore, applying geofencing in this way to support your CP7 bid translates to not only improved planning efficiency, but also reduced potential for incidents which threaten the safety of passengers and the workforce and cause costly infrastructure damage.
Safety benefits and cost savings
The value of a prevented fatality (VPF) used by many UK government departments is around £1.8m. That said, this is incomparable to the cost of a human life.
Geofencing can also help reduce the risk of fines for health and safety failures. With an average fine of £150,000, and the highest health and safety fine a reported £6.5m, the economic savings can be significant. If delays from an accident are caused on a main line, Network Rail could be required to pay thousands of pounds per minute in compensation, face fines and subsequent investigation. By preventing safety incidents that can delay lines from opening, the application of geofencing technology can reduce the likelihood of these outcomes being encountered.
Reducing hand back delays caused by ensuring the line is clear of plant, machinery and other collision risk assets is not included in the above savings. Knowing exactly where your assets are in real-time can improve productivity and enable better decision making during a shift.
Supporting the success of your CP7 bid with geofencing
As the railway supply chain prepares for CP7, the advent of geofencing cannot be overlooked, particularly with the technology quickly becoming the new industry standard for improving track worker situational awareness and visibility over assets on site.
With the potential to enhance the safety of track workers, reduce accidents, improve efficiency and save costs, geofencing offers a compelling case for inclusion in your CP7 bid. Get in touch to learn more about this revolutionary technology and harness the power of geofencing to help drive the success of your CP7 bid.
