Story Contracting has partnered with technology innovator Tended to pilot the company’s new Virtual WSMB solution at its Argyle Street site, marking an important step forward in how worksites are managed across the rail industry.
Over the weekend, Tended joined Story Contracting on site for the first Virtual WSMB deployment on the North & East route. Virtual WSMBs is an industry first, designed to replace traditional physical marker boards with a digital alternative.
The outcomes of the pilot demonstrated how the system can significantly improve operational safety and efficiency. By eliminating the need to place and recover worksite marker boards, Story Contracting gained approximately one hour of productive time, extending the available work window during the possession by around 18%.
The site had three blocking points which would have typically required three worksite marker boards. With VWSMBs, Story Contracting was able to redeploy three staff to other duties, removed the need for 12 phone calls, and saved staff from walking an estimated 7.2km, substantially reducing their exposure to risk on the infrastructure.
The technology uses geofencing and highly accurate GPS data to create virtual boundaries around a worksite. Instead of relying on physical boards placed along the track, operatives and plant are equipped with devices that provide real-time alerts as they approach worksite limits.
By removing the need to manually install and remove marker boards, the system reduces the requirement for staff to access track environments away from the main working areas, significantly lowering risk exposure, while also minimising the potential for human error.
As well as improving safety, the technology can deliver major efficiency gains. Virtual boundaries can be set up and removed far more quickly than traditional methods, helping maximise the time available for works and supporting smoother handback at the end of a possession.
The collaboration builds on an existing relationship between the two organisations, which began through Story Contracting’s business support initiative, Story Start Up. Since first connecting, Story has worked closely with Tended, providing guidance, industry insight and opportunities to support the development and application of its technology.
While the system has been used elsewhere, the Argyle Street trial marks the first time Story Contracting has deployed VWSMBs on one of its sites, demonstrating the company’s commitment to exploring innovative approaches to improving safety and efficiency.
The trial at Argyle Street highlights Story Contracting’s proactive approach to innovation and its willingness to collaborate with emerging technology providers to drive positive change across the rail sector.
Leo Scott Smith, CEO at Tended, said "This trial with Story Contracting has been a great way to showcase how virtual worksite marker boards can directly improve critical safety and efficiency challenges in rail. For short or complex possessions where every minute counts, Tended can free up valuable time and resources while improving safety and reducing the risk of delays. Having worked closely with Story Contracting since our first deployment in 2024, we are excited to continue exploring the different scenarios in which our technology can improve safety and efficiency across the network.”
