FEATURE: PAUL ARNOLD
Automated 6 hourly weather forecasts for strategic locations.
Weather forecasts tailored to specific client needs, such as short- term track renewal work or long- term engineering and operational obligations. 6 hourly forecasts are also invaluable when monitoring the impending weather conditions at key operating locations such as stations, driver depots and fleet maintenance locations.
Live hourly weather data - from over 6,000 locations worldwide.
Associated notification systems for key personnel.
As an impartial provider, Railmet has the ability to gather data from a number of corporate sources. These live data streams can then be harnessed for particular client benefit during a severe weather event.
In recent years it has become increasingly important to find safe, alternative methods to ensure the operating integrity of equipment on or around the track.
Many weather stations now report live data every 15 minutes. The capability to harness this information, in conjunction with colour-coded thresholds set by the client, allows automated alerts to be sent to personnel via a subscription database. The power of this instant knowledge enables the immediate implementation of alternative operating processes or restrictions, which ultimately assist in reducing the safety and performance impact caused by severe weather which has been experienced in recent months.
Asset management control via remote performance monitoring.
In recent years it has become
increasingly important to find safe alternative methods to ensure the operating integrity of equipment on or around the track.
Remote performance monitoring is one such method. This particular
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solution enables the removal of manual audits in favour of a constant data flow, alerting asset managers only when required. Railmet is currently hosting a RPM trial with industry partners, following the universal recognition that the removal of regular manual audits on the trackside, will help reduce the risk of safety incidents and also allow for personnel to be engaged in other operating and engineering activities.
Asset and incident mapping. In conjunction with the development
of remote performance monitoring, a separate mapping program has been created to visualise the live data streams on a regional basis. This alternative communications platform has recently been enhanced to facilitate the viewing of incident data via specific latitude / longitude location sets. Adoption of live incident mapping techniques during any severe weather event gives local and national managers first sight of any emerging trends and therefore the knowledge required to target specific mitigation processes in the most appropriate locations. Paul Arnold, Director at Railmet explains, “The provision of accurate weather forecasts, live weather data and appropriate mitigation processes relevant to both infrastructure and traction / rolling stock in times of severe weather is a recognised necessity. “What is also as important though is the means of communications adopted, together with the subsequent target audience. In short - the right information must be given to the right people at the right time, in order for those experts to implement the right mitigation techniques that will ultimately help in reducing the safety and performance impact of any severe weather incident.”
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Railmet homepage
www.railmet.eu
(Below)
Live weather data from 100 locations in 24 countries
Biography Paul Arnold
Railmet is directed by Paul Arnold – a recognised rail industry expert in the field of severe weather incident management. Paul has been instrumental in coordinating autumn and winter mitigation plans on a regional and national level in Great Britain for over a decade. Prior to the creation of Railmet, Paul was the Professional Head of the GB Seasons Management Team; Deputy Chair of the Adhesion Working Group, a European rail industry collective established in 1992 to address low adhesion issues at the wheel / rail interface; and a Member of the National Task Force Operators Group, uniting national rail Operations, Safety, & Performance Directors. He has detailed rail infrastructure knowledge of over 30 countries within Europe, and has delivered presentations in Ireland, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Hungary. Paul has designed and delivered 10 national rail industry conferences to a total delegation of over 2,000 – including suppliers, forecasters, governmental organisations, and front line operational staff. In recent years he created an industry dedicated national weather forecasting web site that is now an embedded process utilised by over 70,000 personnel in more than 30 rail companies.
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