Using trains as a sensor for measuring infrastructure health
Sanneke Mulderink-Scholten (Lynxx), Simone Vooijs (ProRail), Mark Niewold (Haskoning)
The behaviour of a passenger train can reveal valuable information about the condition of the railway infrastructure beneath it. ProRail, Haskoning and Lynxx have signed the Passenger Train as Measurement Train agreement at InnoTrans in Berlin.
Through this project, the parties will collaborate on developing a data and analytics pipeline that enables regular passenger trains to serve as mobile measurement trains. Data collected from these trains will form the basis for smarter, more predictive railway maintenance.
Increasing pressure on the Dutch rail network
The Dutch rail network is being used more intensively than ever. To ensure the continued availability, reliability and safety of the railway system, ProRail is increasingly investing in innovative, data-driven solutions.
By collecting and analysing accelerometer sensor data from passenger trains, a continuous flow of information can be generated regarding the condition of railway infrastructure. This allows ProRail to identify anomalies and signs of asset degradation at an earlier stage and to plan maintenance activities more effectively.
Using passenger trains as measurement trains for smarter, predictive infrastructure management
By using passenger trains as measurement trains, we create new opportunities to continuously monitor the condition of our infrastructure. The combination of railway expertise and advanced data analytics helps us organise maintenance in a smarter and more predictable way.
From data to operational insights
The project aims to deliver a fully operational, scalable and maintainable accelerometer data chain, including monitoring capabilities. The solution will support multiple train fleets and provide reliable insights to operational users.
In addition, the project will establish a foundation for future expansion. The data platform is being designed to seamlessly integrate new sensor types, algorithms and information products once their added value has been demonstrated.
Haskoning and Lynxx work together with ProRail on the development and management of the data pipelines, including the validation of data quality, algorithms and the resulting information products.
Advancing predictive railway maintenance through the fusion of data science and domain expertise
We are taking an important step together with ProRail and our partner Lynxx in operationalising data-driven asset management. By combining sensor data, algorithms and railway expertise, we deliver insights that directly contribute to the performance and reliability of the railway network.
Improved insight into asset degradation
The project aims to provide greater insight into the condition of ProRail's assets and is being carried out under the Framework Agreement for the Development and Management of Advanced Analytics (ROBAA).
This approach enables ProRail to use existing passenger trains as an extensive measurement network. As a result, information on the performance and condition of railway assets becomes available more frequently and across a wider geographical area, without relying solely on specialised measurement trains.
A powerful combination of rail expertise and Data Science
Haskoning and Lynxx combine in-depth knowledge of railway infrastructure with expertise in AI, data engineering, analytics, machine learning and operational implementation. This combination makes it possible to translate innovative analytical methods into practical applications that deliver immediate value to ProRail's day-to-day operations.
The collaboration reflects the shared ambition of ProRail, Haskoning and Lynxx to use data and technology to create a smarter, more reliable and future-ready Dutch railway network.
From periodic measurements to continuous insight: a new era in railway asset management
As a long-standing partner of ProRail, we are proud to take the next step together with Haskoning: moving from periodic measurements to continuous insight. Every train journey generates data that helps us plan maintenance more proactively and make the railway network more reliable for passengers.
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Data driven insights: smarter rail - prefeasibility
