The Background
As part of its transformation of the Wales & Borders rail network, Transport for Wales (TfW) is converting the remote, aging Core Valley Lines (CVL) into a modern, metro-style railway. The project’s aim is to upgrade the infrastructure and technology of these lines to accommodate new, faster electric trains and to enable the introduction of additional services.
Amey Infrastructure Wales (AIW) is responsible for the overall management of the program, while Amey Consulting produces the designs for the extensive work that is required. It is an ambitious and complex undertaking, encompassing 3 lines, 271 signals, 34 level crossings, and 55 stations.
The Challenge
Another major element of the project was the design and implementation of a multi-million-pound Enterprise Asset Management System (EAMS) for the newly formed joint venture organization running the railway, using IBM’s Maximo platform and the DataSplice “Mobile for Maximo” solution.
The system was established and commissioned using legacy data from the previously incumbent Network Rail Ellipse and JBA Systems, and the main initial challenge was to have the EAMS functional before the cutoff time for the use of these legacy applications.
Another challenge was to incorporate into the system the specific processes and analytics that the operating environment needed, such as inspection logic and rules for providing the required reporting metrics, especially to mobile technicians and engineers.
Subsequently, Cognizant and Cohesive were selected as the highest competence and best-value partners to deliver the system, with Cohesive hosting and providing 3rd-line application support.
The Solution
The EAMS scope is focused mainly on permanent ways, bridges, tunnels, power transmission, and earthworks, which provides a platform for a desktop AMS and uses trackside mobile applications for remote working, inspections, and rail-specific parameter capture.
The EAMS further supports efficient, safe working practices, as well as decision support and complex compliance reporting processes.
Cohesive provided implementation services, which included legacy data onboarding, hosting provision, software provision, and further support services. Other system functionality included a complex field-based mobile data acquisition and reporting application.
The solution was delivered on time and budget, going live in 2020 and then being further enhanced in subsequent phases up until early 2023.
The result
William Pike, Rheolwr Data Asedau/Asset Data Manager, Trafnidiaeth Cymru / Transport for Wales Infrastructure Hub commented:
“IBM Maximo and DataSplice are enabling a new era of Asset Management for Transport for Wales. As our system matures, more functionality from multiple legacy systems, paper-based processes, and bespoke applications can be onboarded. This will make our rail operations much more sustainable by improving data capture and efficiency, helping us to deliver against complex calculated KPIs, and reducing total costs.”
