The British company Tended has launched a new project in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop technology designed to enhance the safety and efficiency of railway construction.
The initiative aims to refine the Virtual Worksite Marker Board (VWSMB) system, a digital solution that replaces the physical signs used to demarcate work zones on railway infrastructure.
The new phase of the project builds on the results of the Digital Worksite program, launched in 2023, and will focus on improving the technology’s accuracy and reliability under real-world operating conditions.
How the system works
VWSMB technology creates virtual boundaries for railway work sites using geospatial data.
A device installed in the cab of the work machinery automatically positions itself relative to these boundaries. If the operator exceeds the authorized area, the system immediately generates an alert.
By eliminating physical boundary panels, the solution reduces the need for personnel to enter the infrastructure to install and retrieve them, thereby reducing risk exposure and the likelihood of delays.
Results already tested on the railway network
The technology has been tested in pilot projects within the British railway sector.
In a test conducted in collaboration with Siemens Mobility, the system is estimated to have generated savings of over GBP 130,000 by reducing work overruns.
Another test, conducted with Network Rail on the East Coast line, saved approximately 45 minutes during a work window, which extended the available time for work by about 17%.
The solution is already in use in Scotland by SPL Powerlines and Network Rail Scotland, where initial deployments have yielded time savings of approximately 30 minutes per shift and reduced the travel required to install physical panels.
Space technology for railway works
The new project carried out in collaboration with ESA will integrate positioning technologies based on space infrastructure to improve the system’s accuracy.
The goal is to develop a solution capable of operating reliably even in challenging operational environments, such as areas with limited visibility or complex infrastructure.
The project will also explore the possibility of using the technology to track and manage equipment at railway construction sites, helping to modernize how infrastructure work is planned and coordinated.
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