FINLAND: A pilot project to use real-time data to provide warnings of potential turnout failure is being undertaken by the national railway’s VR FleetCare subsidiary and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, Väylävirasto.
Equipment from internet of things specialist Vire Labs is being used to monitor 80 turnouts at seven locations across the network. The data collected is then analysed to detect any abnormal performance so that action can be taken before any failure occurs.
‘More detailed data helps us improve the availability of the tracks and reduce disruption to traffic’, said Marko Lehtosaari, head of railway maintenance at Väylävirasto. ‘We aim to receive the first indications of maintenance needs before there is any deviation in operations.’
He said the partners plant to offer the service internationally, as ‘we believe that our solution is the best and most competitive available.’
