A new consortium led by Cognizant, together with Amey Consulting and Arup, aims to reduce service affecting failures on railways as part of a Network Rail programme to deliver asset management improvements
The Intelligent Infrastructure programme will increase the availability of infrastructure across the rail network by using product and maintenance regime design and asset data analysis to effectively predict failures, forecast the impact of potential failures and improve maintenance planning and intervention prior to disruptions.
The consortium will deliver work across three lots of Network Rail’s Intelligent Infrastructure programme, running until the end of CP6 in 2024.
The result will be improved on-time performance for trains nationwide, significant cost savings through better lifecycle of assets and a much safer railway for rail engineers who will be able to target critical work with improved data and information.
The innovative consortium brings together Cognizant’s system integration capability, Amey Consulting’s proficiency in analytics and data architecture combined with its railway operations and asset management experience, and Arup’s engineering expertise and digital capability in infrastructure.
Intelligent Infrastructure will modernise UK rail
Speaking on the award Alex Gilbert, managing director, Amey Consulting, said: “Reducing failures on our railways is essential to keeping people and goods moving on time, supporting economic growth across the UK.
“We are proud to support Cognizant on this ambitious consortium, harnessing data science and analytics capability to drive improvement across the rail network, reducing delays and disruptions to passengers and freight nationwide. Crucially, the programme will also improve the safety of our people.
“Intelligent Infrastructure will modernise the wider UK rail industry by enhancing digital capabilities on routes and digital skills among employees, helping to future proof the UK rail industry and increase its global competitiveness.”
Jacqueline Young, Network Rail’s Intelligent Infrastructure director, commented: “To fulfil our ambition we need to adopt a strong partnership model that harnesses expertise from across the industry.
“We are forming a network of partnerships that will drive transformation across the railway, improving life for colleagues working every day to maintain and renew our infrastructure, and ultimately providing a safe and reliable railway for the millions of passengers who depend on us every day.”
Santosh Thomas, president of Global Growth Markets, Cognizant added: “Cognizant has been working with Network Rail for several years. We are thrilled to combine our expertise in digital technologies and large infrastructure projects with the knowledge and capabilities of our consortium partners, Arup and Amey Consulting.
“We expect to expand on this ecosystem to include other leading asset management experts as well. We look forward to delivering the game-changing digital solutions for Network Rail that will help make Britain’s railways more efficient, safe, and reliable.”
