Internet of Things and Remote Condition Monitoring

At Network Rail, we currently have in excess of 40 different platforms that enable the organisation to remotely monitor a range of sensors and data logger devices, to allow the 24*7 control centres to respond to alarms. This excessive number of systems results in a fragmented view of the status of Network Rails Assets, its Network and performance.

Alongside this fragmentation, business demands are shifting, and the organisation now needs a solution that will drive better understanding of the health / performance of Network Rails assets and inform decision making in the control centres.

From a technology perspective, the organisation will require a solution that will fit well with a hybrid cloud environment and deliver a more open and integrated solution.

Therefore, Network Rail requires an agile and scalable IoT / Remote Condition Monitoring platform to provide the following:

The future platform will be a key component of Network Rails IT/OT convergence strategy, which will see a focus on real time monitoring, visualisation and control of a range of remote assets. The platform would also enable an agile transformation of our ability to innovate, deliver value and drive better decisions across Network Rail.

Our goal is to provide our control centre staff, maintenance teams and operational staff with one integrated view of the status, condition and health of our operational railway. This platform will be delivered in partnership with the software vendor and by using Agile design and development methodologies will utilise agile / DevOps processes to release regularly platform changes, this will enable both business, IT and software vendor teams to work together to create a service that connects business colleagues, to situations in a way that makes sense.

This initiative will deliver a common platform for monitoring the health of Assets, the status of the railway for train operations and Situation Awareness.