The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), England, helped develop a new system using augmented reality (AR) technology to streamline how faults are detected and repaired at one of the UK’s busiest railway stations. It will be the first example of a rail infrastructure using AR, sensor data and a private 5G network layered together.
AMRC, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, is working with HS1 Ltd, London, England, to create a system which will monitor real-time performance of station services at St Pancras International station. It will allow swift detection and repair of faults within the station’s lifts, escalators, and travelators, as well as signaling equipment along the high-speed line.
Sensors will pick up and relay faults back to maintenance teams via a private 5G network. Maintenance engineers can then be swiftly dispatched to repair the faults thus saving time and money, and efficiently managing the railway and station.
HS1 Ltd has the 30-year concession to own and operate High Speed 1, the UK’s first section of high-speed rail between London and the Channel Tunnel, as well as the stations along the route: St Pancras International, Stratford International, Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International.
The aim of the project is to enable the flow of data and information between on-site and remote maintenance teams. This will help HS1 Ltd develop its knowledge and understanding of new maintenance methods. This will also improve training and competency and result in efficiency and performance benefits for the network, which will ultimately lead to an enhanced experience for passengers and customers.
Dyan Crowther, CEO of HS1 Ltd, said: “The system will not only create a more reliable rail network but will allow our expert teams to maintain social distancing guidelines when responding to jobs. Thanks to Innovate UK and our partners we are able to lead the way in revolutionizing London’s railway stations post-Covid.”
The new technology will lessen the impact of disruption to the railway caused by Covid-19 and if widely adopted could improve productivity and cut costs at more than 3,000 UK railway stations and the wider network.
For more information:
HS1 Ltd
https://highspeed1.co.uk/
University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre
https://www.amrc.co.uk/
