Network Rail achieves unified data visibility with ANS
Background
Network Rail helps keep the country moving, and it relies on safe and efficient operations every day to do this. Wanting to maintain and improve this efficiency, the organisation set out to use analytics, AI and IoT more effectively by bringing data together in a modern platform. The aim was to address issues around vehicle visibility and strengthen insight across different networks to create a smoother experience for its colleagues and customers.
Challenge
Network Rail set out to deliver a condition-based monitoring solution that could draw on existing and new data from disparate sources. The team needed to move beyond time-based maintenance that often keeps vehicles in extended checks and address limited visibility of vehicle performance. Key challenges included different departments using different systems, having no unified view of vehicle status, and valuable data being gathered offline. Reporting after events additionally relied on manual compilation, which slowed learning and delayed action. To resolve this, Network Rail committed to a strategic partnership designed to enhance its data capabilities.
Solution
Makutu, part of ANS, worked in partnership with the customer and key vendors to design and deliver the data capabilities required for condition-based monitoring. The work included high level and detailed data architecture, cloud data services to ingest streaming IoT, batch and API data in varied formats, and robust data engineering to create automated pipelines for integration and preparation. The Makutu team built clear visualisations so data consumers could see what mattered in the moment and over time and deployed a cloud-based platform that naturally extended Network Rail’s existing environment and toolset.
Outcome
Makutu delivered an end-to-end solution that gives Network Rail a single pane of glass for each audience, providing a unified view of asset utilisation including mileage, location and sensor readings. The platform now supports predictive insight for rolling stock and track condition, creates a blueprint for scale and expansion, and opens a practical route to meeting business objectives that focus on improving the customer experience.
