UK: Work is underway to fit more than 15 000 wagons and freight locomotives with radio frequency identification tags for use by lineside readers at 22 wheelset monitoring locations.
The two-year project is being funded from the £22m Freight Safety Improvement Portfolio for 2019-24.
‘Each freight operator is fitting them to each side of their wagons and locomotives, which means we are harvesting data every time a train or vehicle operates — much of which has not been visible before’, said Steve Rhymes, Head of Network Management at Network Rail, on May 16. ’It’s a collaborative effort which delivers joint benefit. We are introducing improved systems and processes for data sharing with freight operators and freight customers to provide a cohesive approach to wagon maintenance leading to even further safety for our railway and ultimately less disruption and delays.’
