GB Railfreight (GBRf) announced a successful four-week test of an innovative news solution for monitoring wheel and brake issues.

The system developed was in collaboration with Icomera, DG8 and SENSEi, creating a world first system enabling battery powered sensors to remotely share status.

This new solution sends status and out-of-tolerance alerts through an application to drivers and operational control centres whilst vehicle pre-checks are performed. This technology is hoping to create a safer and more efficient rail network helping to reduce incidents related to wheel and brake faults.

David Golding, Asset Director, GB Railfreight, said: “Working with our trusted industry partners, we have proven the concept of a first-of-its-kind application in the rail sector. GBRf is really proud to be leading the freight industry by developing these innovative solutions to reduce incidents relating to wheel and brake issues.”

Peter Kingsland, SVP, Icomera UK, said: “Rail freight operators are rightly paving the way for digitally driven solutions to mitigate risks as the freight industry grows. Connecting drivers and the engineering teams that support them to real-time trainborne sensor data is a natural step towards a safer and more efficient rail network for all users.”

Damon Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, SENSEi Networks Limited, said: “The utilisation of low-power sensors, long range, wireless networking and edge intelligence is enabling long sought ambitions for autonomous monitoring and real-time alerting to be realised in the freight rail sector, fulfilling the potential for significant improvements to operational efficiency, cost and safety.”

Further trails of the next set of solution are also being scheduled following this success.

Image credit: Shutterstock