Network Rail’s Western route is the latest to deploy Tended’s geofencing technology, marking a significant step in the ongoing rollout of geospatial solutions to enhance operational safety and efficiency.
The deployment will initially focus on OLE and off-track teams in Bristol, and a track team in Swindon, with the goal of mapping geofences to establish safe zones for planned maintenance works. By providing alerts if track workers exit these zones, Tended's solution helps them maintain a safe distance from onsite hazards, such as open lines, to reduce the risk of near misses and individuals working outside of safe work limits.
In addition to track worker safety, Tended will also support Network Rail’s operations along the Western route through enhanced worksite visibility. This includes assisting with the correct placement of protection equipment, such as possession limit boards, worksite marker boards and overhead line equipment, as well as reducing the risk of objects left on the line. This capability can specifically support recommendations from the 2022 Challow incident, where a passenger train struck a hand trolley that had been left on the line.
Using a collaborative approach, Tended is supporting Network Rail Western’s wider drive to improve workforce safety and embed geofencing seamlessly into existing processes, ensuring minimal disruption to day-to-day operations. As a fully supported programme, the aim is for it to become a support to the route’s safe systems of work.
This deployment marks an important milestone in the ongoing efforts to prioritise worker safety within rail and as part of Network Rail’s CP7 plan. Under this plan, Network Rail’s Western route has been allocated a £3.3bn investment, earmarked for critical renewals and supporting workforce safety through the implementation of new technology and innovations.
Tended’s Client Implementation Manager, Ash Bayley will be overseeing the deployment. Ash said:
"We are really excited to be working with Network Rail’s Western route to support them in their drive to reduce the risks associated with working on or near the line. Our delivery framework is something a bit different to how new technology is typically introduced as we work towards successfully embedding geofencing into business as usual. Our implementation managers will engage the teams with regular site visits and sessions to support them in adopting this cutting-edge technology. Fitting seamlessly alongside Western's existing processes, our centimetre accurate wearables will play a pivotal role in enhancing workforce safety across the route.
Nick Galliott, Planning & Line Block SME for the Western Workforce Safety Team, said:
“We are really excited to be working with Tended on the Western Route to help support us in our drive to reduce the risks associated with working on or near the line. Tended’s delivery framework is something a bit different to how new technology is typically introduced as we work towards successfully embedding geofencing/tagging into business as usual. Tended’s implementation managers will engage with TWS managers and the frontline teams with regular site visits and sessions to support them in adopting this cutting-edge technology. Tended's geofencing technology has seen rapid adoption across the industry, notably with Network Rail’s Wales and Borders Route as the largest deployment of geofencing technology to date and we are very keen to utilise this technology too".
Learn more about Tended's geofencing technology here.
