2023 Best Use of Technology: Smart Data Collection for Asset Management

Strategic pipeline alliance

Anglian Water

The Anglian Water Strategic Pipeline Alliance (SPA) pipeline will improve the resilience of the East of England's water supply system, guarding against drought risks. This project includes over 300km of steel and plastic pipe, ten pumping stations and associated electromechanical equipment, all controlled using digital twin technologies. By reducing customers relying on a single supply system to 14% by 2025, we are actively working towards securing the region's water resources for the future. Our smart data collection solution addresses the challenges faced by Anglian Water and other water utility clients regarding consistent and traceable asset information. By employing product barcodes and mobile devices, we efficiently track and inspect assets from initial receipt on site through to installation and commissioning. This comprehensive data informs maintenance plans and enables swift issue resolution. The solution's value is demonstrated through visualisations that assist decision-making and optimising material usage, reducing waste, and promoting sustainability.

Ardingly reservoir Boat Park landslide

AtkinsRéalis, South East Water and Geodesea

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to help map and monitor landslides is a relatively new practice. However, when part of a landslide is beneath the water then the use of Unmanned Surface Vehicles are used to help map the landslide features that are submerged. For the Ardingly Reservoir Boat Park Landslide, Atkins used a combination of these methods to help accurately map the landslide extents, understand its mechanisms and quantify rates of movement. The surveys allowed coverage of inaccessible areas due to the risk of further instability and the area submerged beneath the water, removing risk to staff and improving safety. They also provided a cheap and quick solution, compared to traditional terrestrial surveys; reducing costs and increasing efficiency. The data produced, including 3D Surface Models and Digital Surface Vertical Change Models, have also been vital in providing information that will feed into future concept and detailed design stages.

AIVR Focus - Low adhesion monitoring

One Big Circle

Leaves falling onto railway tracks may often be mocked by mainstream media, however it is a serious problem for the railway industry. Lack of adhesion to the track, caused by compacted leaf mulch, can lead to trains slipping and sliding, causing delays to journeys, safety implications, and wear over time to vehicle braking systems. One Big Circle has designed and kitted out a fleet of Network Rail’s Multi-Purpose Vehicles with our innovative AIVR Focus system, to better manage railhead conditions against the challenging autumn leaves. AIVR Focus incorporates a system of high-resolution line-scanning cameras fixed to the underbody train carriages, which capture high-quality frame-by-frame track imagery each second. Transmitted in rapid time to the online AIVR platform, track maintenance engineers can review, markup, and inspect the track in rapid time, creating a comprehensive record of track infrastructure over time to monitor degradation and deliver remote maintenance decisions from their desktop.

Transforming highway management

Sensat and Connect Plus 

Connect Plus, in collaboration with Connect Plus Services (CPS), Octavius, and Sensat, digitally mapped the M25 highway network using advanced technology. Sensat conducted extensive UAV mapping, complemented by driven LiDAR. Sensat used its advanced autonomous data capture and visualisation capability to undertake one of the largest drone mapping endeavours to have taken place in the UK to date. Together the partners worked together to digitally map the entire network of which they are now leveraging for highway management. Sensat utilised autonomous data capture methods to significantly increase safety across teams by reducing the need for employees on the M25 carriageways at night when traditional inspections and surveying would take place. Today this information is being visualised in Sensat’s browser-based platform and being leveraged across teams for traffic management planning, installing remotely operated temporary traffic management signs, and geotechnical earthworks planning.

Visually intelligent Digital Twin

Spinview for Transport for London

Spinview for Transport for LondonSpinview has emerged as a game-changer in asset management, revolutionising the field with its visual intelligence solution. Through cutting-edge technology and data visualisation, Spinview's digital twin platform eliminates complexity and allows stakeholders to access and take action on asset information. Our solution is bringing huge benefits to Transport for London (TfL) in five crucial ways. Firstly, TfL's workforce experiences enhanced efficiency by utilising Spinview's digital twin for comprehensive understanding and planning. Secondly, Spinview's solution automates fault finding, improving safety and reducing costs. Thirdly, remote inspections enable TfL to refurbish assets efficiently and future-proof infrastructure. Fourthly, Spinview enables immersive virtual training, enhancing preparedness and safety for train drivers. Lastly, Spinview's technology aligns with TfL's sustainability goals by capturing environmental data and aiding in carbon baselining and reduction. Overall, Spinview's visual intelligence solution empowers TfL in asset management, driving efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability.

High resolution digital site capture

Stantec

Stantec is pioneering a process of producing 3D models known as High Resolution Digital Site Capture. This digital approach helps Stantec’s clients develop a detailed insight into equipment and assets, enabling more effective operational investment and strategic decision-making in the management, engineering solutions development and maintenance of ongoing assets and projects. The process uses drones to gather video and photographic data in ultra-high definition, making even the smallest of signs visible, and the data is geolocated to an accuracy of 20mm. Stantec’s solution leads to a reduction in the number of site visits required, leading to cost saving and a reduction in carbon emissions, as well as a reduction in risk, removing the need for personnel to work at height or on scaffolding.

Flood protection scheme: Beach Road, Y Felinheli

Ymgynghoriaeth Gwynedd Consultancy

Flood gates were installed at Beach Road, Y Felinheli, north Wales as part of Cyngor Gwynedd’s recent coastal flood risk management scheme. To obtain tide level data for Y Felinheli, a Decentlab GmbH LoRa-WAN tide-level recorder was installed – providing real-time tide level data at a relatively low cost. The recorded data and UK Coastal Monitoring and Forecasting service’s Holyhead’s tide data were used to understand the relationship to use the Holyhead as a proxy. The work has allowed the simplification of the operating procedure, with the forecast level at Holyhead being used as an early warning for Y Felinheli. This simplified process has allowed us to delegate the closing of the gates to the community – volunteer Flood Wardens take the lead in closing the flood gates. This ensures community buy-in for the scheme as well as providing a financial saving to the Council.