As part of the ongoing work to upgrade its Metro fleet, the Southeastern and Network Rail Alliance has appointed Cordel to provide accurate data and imaging of all platforms on the metro network.
Cordel has installed sensor technology on two Network Rail maintenance units, using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and AI-processing services to provide 3D models and highly accurate measurements of all Southeastern metro station platforms.
As train station platforms across the country have been built and amended over many decades their height, shape and curvature vary considerably. This detailed analysis will provide highly accurate 3D modelling and dimensions of all the platforms Southeastern’s potential new trains would serve.
This information will then be used to help support manufacturers' design work to maximise unassisted boarding across the Southeastern Metro network. This is a key part of Southeastern’s commitment to vastly improving capacity and accessibility through the introduction of new or improved trains on the Metro network.
This will make it simpler and easier for customers in wheelchairs, with mobility challenges, those with luggage or pushchairs and any other obstacles to boarding and leaving a train –and helping to provide a more inclusive and accessible railway.
The LiDAR sensors have been fitted to a pair of Network Rail maintenance trains which will continually collect data as they travel across the Southeastern network and provide the data back to Cordel for analysis and then sharing with Southeastern.
Mark Johnson, Engineering Director at Southeastern Railway, said:
“We want our upgraded Metro fleet to be a gamechanger for customers, not only in terms of performance and operating costs but also a major step forward for accessibility, too.
“However, we also know simply getting new trains won’t fix the historic issues we face across our railway.
“Our joint work with Network Rail and Cordel will, for the first time, provide highly accurate, 3D measurements of our platforms, including their height, curvature and gaps from trains. This information will be absolutely invaluable for manufacturers and suppliers to provide the best possible train for the Southeastern network.
“Work is already underway on our network and we look forward to the first data arriving in the coming weeks. “
John Davis, CEO at Cordel Group plc added:
“We are delighted to see Cordel’s modular standalone LiDAR technology installed onto Network Rail infrastructure monitoring vehicles.
“Now our sensors are ‘there for the ride’, we are capturing data from trains in service. This data feeds our AI pipeline, so we can process it into the crucial measurements approved by Network Rail and meeting Southeastern’s needs.
“Cordel’s internationally proven artificial intelligence platform for railways enables us to easily capture 3D images and rapidly produce measurements for passenger train engineers. Our measurements also mean train operators can line up trains and station platforms in the best possible way.
“Cordel is excited to provide this step change in optimisation for Southeastern and Network Rail.”
Bob Coulson, Kent Route Infrastructure Director at Network Rail, said:
“Our partnership with Cordel.ai represents an important step towards creating a more accessible railway.
"By installing this new technology on our existing maintenance units we can build a truly accurate picture of our network across the Kent route, giving train manufacturers and suppliers the data they need to support our vision for a better, more reliable and sustainable railway”.
