The train operator, Southeastern has teamed up with Siemens Mobility and Eversholt Rail to develop a fully automated vehicle inspection system to improve how they monitor trains for faults.
The aim of the system is that more regular automatic checks on trains will flag up issues before they lead to a train breaking down, while also reducing costs of repairs to components that are less worn than would be expected.
The set-up uses a series of cameras and laser sensors to collect and analyse data about the condition of the train fleet and will check each train’s brake pads, collector shoes, wheel profiles, and wheel tread thickness. It will also run underframe inspections to ensure everything is in good working order.
Automated Vehicle-Inspection (c) Southeastern
The mass of data captured by the Automated Vehicle Inspection (AVI) will allow Southeastern to run a more efficient on-demand maintenance programme by not carrying out work that isn’t needed. It means targeted maintenance rather than automatic changes after a set mileage.
It also helps to improve safety by running consistent measurement and component assessments that can send out immediate safety alerts, as well as a 48-hour forecast of failures.
Mark Johnson, Southeastern’s Engineering Director, said: “We’re always looking at how we can deliver a more reliable and sustainable railway to give better journeys for our customers, and running a fully automated vehicle inspection system certainly helps us to do that.”
The system design is set to begin at the end of this year. Construction will begin in mid-2024 and the automated inspections are then scheduled to get underway in 2025.
It will be installed at the Ramsgate train maintenance facility, where the mainline fleet is looked after.
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