
Case Study: Rail Maintenance and Capital Works Planning
Overview
A commuter rail network in Australia required an innovative solution to increase inspection and maintenance planning efficiencies and reduce corridor shutdown times. Importantly they needed the solution to reduce their exposure to risk by limiting the frequency of live corridor inspections by personnel.
Current Process
Human resources are physically walking the corridor to identify defective sleepers and pins, while noting down any additional observed defects Shutdown planning would require the operator and contractors to access these live corridors, often making repeat site visits for the purpose of planning and access logistics
Challenges
Inherent human risk. Permanent staff and sub-contractors are repeatedly placed in high-risk situations. Risk assessments and onsite requirements are time-consuming to prepare and exposed to human-error. The cost of travel, site training and escorts can be extensive and time consuming.
Typical line shutdowns cost up to $10,000 every four minutes. Often, these shutdowns last 24 to 48 hours. Managers are driven to reduce shutdown times and better manage the associated resource costs (human, equipment and material) to ensure on-time and on-budget maintenance results.
Outcome
Trendspek delivered 3D digital reality models of affected corridors, enabling remote inspection and markups remotely.
Internal and external teams collaborated in real-time to plan shutdowns without site visits which in turn reduced travel times for inspectors and engineering staff. Contractors can provide accurate, measurable quotes for scopes of work as they had complete site access from the comfort of their offices.
Trendspek’s digital solution informed better distribution of human resources and accurate allocation of the equipment, tools and materials necessary to perform tasks.
Complete transparency and real-time reporting occurred, ensuring all stakeholders were informed and up to speed at all times, a critical deliverable when dealing with regulated assets.



TRADITIONAL INSPECTION
DATA CAPTURE
COMPLETE
LIMITED DUE TO ACCESS
TIME ON SITE | RAIL STATION
2 HOURS
6-8 HOURS (OFTEN NIGHT)
DATA TURNAROUND TIME
2 DAYS
3-5 DAYS
REPEATABLE ACCURACY
YES
NO
EQUIPMENT
INSPECTION DRONE
PPE
HUMAN RISK
NO
YES
STAFF REQUIRED ON-SITE
1-2
3-7
PRICE STRUCTURE
CONSISTENT
VARIABLE / INCONSISTENT
COST
FR. $2,000
FR. $12,400-$25,600
INCLUDES
- COMPLETE 3D DIGITAL REPLICA
- INSPECTION/ANALYSIS AND PLANNING TOOLS
- TREND ANALYSIS TOOLS
- PDF INSPECTION REPORTING TOOLS
- COLLABORATION TOOLS
- PDF REPORT
- FOLDER OF IMAGES


Talk to Trendspek
If you’d like to learn more about how you can harness digital assets safely and securely, contact us today