The railway industry in the UK plays a vital role in the nation’s transportation infrastructure, serving millions of passengers and facilitating goods movement across the country. As a major source of economic growth and a vital network, there is considerable focus on improving infrastructure and rail systems, as well as continual maintenance, upgrade and renewal programmes. Geofencing technology has emerged as a valuable tool in improving the safety, efficiency, and operational management of these programmes, reducing the risk of downtime and keeping the network running.
What is Geofencing?
Geofencing is a location-based technology that uses geospatial data to create virtual boundaries around specific areas. When a GPS-enabled wearable device enters or exits the predefined area, the geofence triggers an action, such as sending immediate notifications or generating alerts.
In simpler terms: Geofencing allows organisations to enhance worker safety while also monitoring and tracking assets in real time, making it a powerful tool in managing safe operations on the railway.
Enhanced Worksite Safety
1. Track Worker Safety
One of the primary applications of geofencing in rail infrastructure operations is worker safety. For individuals working on the railway, situational awareness is critical, enabling them to remain aware of their surroundings and potential hazards. Due to a range of human factors, it is impossible for people to remain constantly alert. Geofencing provides a powerful tool to address this challenge.
Geofences can be created within an online Dashboard to define safe work areas on a worksite. If a worker loses situational awareness and exits these safe working limits, real-time alerts from their Wearable helps them regain situational awareness and notifies them to immediately move back to safety.
2. Safe Access Points to a Worksite
Geofencing supports the safe access and egress to worksites, helping to ensure that track workers enter worksites only through designated access points. Planners can create a geofence to mark out the worksite access point. Workers then receive a confirmatory alert via their Wearable to notify them that they are at the authorised access point, helping to minimise the risk of unauthorised access and ensuring that workers enter and exit only from safe areas.
Operational Efficiency
1. Enhanced site visibility
Using the online Dashboard, organisations can track the live location of plant and machinery onsite. Devices attached to these assets display centimetre-accurate location so that supervisors can quickly identify unsafe actions, such as plant on-tracking too early or exiting defined safe worksite limits.
Geofences can also be used to prevent incidents such as points run throughs and collisions. By plotting geofences around hazardous areas onsite, operators receive an alert if they cross the boundary and towards the hazard, helping them maintain an adequate distance and reducing the risk of incidents.
2. Correct placement of protection equipment
With geofencing, supervisors can reduce the risk of protection equipment, such as marker boards and possession limit boards, being placed in the incorrect location. Planners can plot the location of equipment in accordance with the safe work pack. Devices secured to the equipment onsite displays their location in real time and shows their live versus planned location, so planners can check if they are in the right location.
3. Ensuring objects are clear of the line
Once works are completed, site supervisors can check the Dashboard’s live view for any equipment or machinery, including trolleys and boards, that are still onsite. This displays their real-time location so they can be recuperated quickly to minimse delays to the line being reopened.
Case Study: CRSA Duddeston Blockade
Client: CRSA
Length of Contract: 10 Days
In August 2024, RSS Infrastructure (RSSI) and Tended conducted a geofencing pilot during the CRSA Duddeston Blockade, showcasing the benefits of the technology for enhanced site safety. The pilot focused on reducing risks such as protection irregularities, points run-throughs, and equipment left on the line.
Key Actions:
- Deployed geofencing across the Duddeston site.
- Equipped engineering trains and RRVs with geofencing devices.
- Operated a three-shift system for seamless management.
- Monitored Worksite Marker Board (WSMB) placement in real-time.
- Tracked asset movement using a Live Dashboard to prevent leaving items on the line.
Outcome:
The pilot demonstrated improved site safety, live monitoring, and operational efficiency. The Live Dashboard provided real-time oversight of equipment movement and critical positioning of key assets.
“The geofencing system proved invaluable, offering live monitoring and ensuring that worksite markers and machinery were correctly positioned. Feedback from teams onsite was overwhelmingly positive.” IM, Network Rail
Conclusion
Geofencing is transforming the UK’s railway infrastructure operations by enhancing safety, improving operational efficiency, and enabling effective worksite management. As geofencing technology advances, its applications will continue to grow, offering even greater benefits to the railway sector. Adopting this technology ensures safer, more efficient project delivery to reduce disruption and delays on the rail network.
Contact Geofencing Services
For customised geofencing solutions, contact our experienced Geofencing team, led by Jason Fidoe, at 0330 113 0004. We are ready to support your next infrastructure project.
External Citations
- Network Rail Official Website: www.networkrail.co.uk
- Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB): www.rssb.co.uk
- Geofencing Technology Overview: www.tended.co.uk
