IRS Day 2: optimising asset management and new sensor technologies
IRS 2023With the rail industry grappling with the challenges of ageing infrastructure, the imperative for innovation has never been more pronounced. On Tuesday, 6 November, just under 100 attendees gathered at the Intelligent Rail Summit (IRS)...Read more
Robotics and drones used in SNCF’s biggest maintenance workshop
Atelier 57 in Hellemmes is the largest maintenance workshop of the French rail operator SNCF. The building in northern France is no less than 28,000 square metres in size and 12.5 metres high. Maintenance engineers...Read more
Folded drones may help Network Rail investigate its railway caves
Mapping the unpredictable undulations of underground voids and searching out subterranean subsidence is a hidden but vital part of railway maintenance. Now engineers are auditioning a new player in the cast of solutions. Prometheus –...Read more
Drones become new rail workers
The usage of drone technology is upcoming in the railway industry. More and more railway companies use them in various areas. What roles could the unmanned aerial vehicles play in the rail sector of the...Read more
Dutch Railways inspects train stations with drones
Dutch national railway operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) will carry out maintenance inspections at stations using drones. Last month a successful test flight took place at Utrecht Centraal station and in the Moreelse Bridge over the...Read more
Thales develops drones for autonomous trains
French technology group Thales is developing a concept of special drones for Automatic Train Operation (ATO). The air vehicles will be equipped with advanced optronics, infra-red sensors and other integrating leading technologies. The drones will...Read more
Drones will inspect Deutsche Bahn infrastructure
Deutsche Bahn (DB) will participate in the pilot project ‘Urban Air Mobility’ to test the potential of drones in different areas. The German railway company plans to use multicopters for inspecting its infrastructure. The Urban Air...Read more
Network Rail uses drone to survey railway
Network Rail performed its first drone survey last Friday on the southwestern rail route near Bournemouth, England. The drone made its first flight to survey a trespass hotspot, looking to record anyone risking their lives...Read more