IoT for Railways

2,000 sensors will be used on railways in the Netherlands to improve passenger safety and efficiency as well as reduce downtime.

17:13 10 October 2017

ProRail, a government-owned maintenance company, will be installing 2,000 sensors from the Strukton Rail Company Dual Inventive to monitor rail network assets. 1,500 sensors will be installed on heating points and the remaining will be used for other rail systems.

 

Johan Schaap, infra availability manager for ProRail, said: “We want to gain experience with the application of new technology such as sensors. The sensors will be available for the four maintenance contractors that are active in the performance oriented contract areas in the Netherlands.

 

“They will be able to use the available data in their daily operations.”

 

Similar sensors are already being used by Siemens for its locomotive business in Spain. Their infrared sensors let technicians know if the tracks get too hot while audio sensors provide clues if there are wheel-related problems. 

 

Lex van der Poel, managing director of Dual Inventive, said that the sensors are also coming to the UK.

 

“Having started in the Netherlands, we are now also contributing to the digitisation of railways in the UK on behalf of Network Rail. We advise rail infra managers worldwide to realise IoT in railways in a safe and sustainable way, involving the selection of the IoT infrastructure, communication networks, safety, and cyber security.”