Network Rail’s Western route is the latest to adopt Tended‘s cutting-edge geofencing technology, marking a significant step in the ongoing rollout of geospatial solutions designed to enhance operational safety and efficiency across the rail network.
The deployment will initially focus on Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) and off-track teams in Bristol, alongside a track team in Swindon. The primary goal is to map geofences to establish secure zones for planned maintenance works. Tended’s solution will provide immediate alerts if track workers inadvertently exit these designated safe zones, helping them maintain a crucial distance from onsite hazards, such as open lines. This is expected to significantly reduce the risk of near misses and prevent individuals from working outside of safe limits.
Beyond direct track worker protection, Tended’s technology will also bolster Network Rail’s operations along the Western route by providing enhanced worksite visibility. This includes assisting with the precise placement of protection equipment, such as possession limit boards, worksite marker boards, and overhead line equipment. Critically, it aims to reduce the risk of objects being left on the line – a capability that directly supports recommendations arising from the 2022 Challow incident, where a passenger train struck a hand trolley.
Tended is collaborating closely with Network Rail Western to seamlessly integrate geofencing into existing processes, ensuring minimal disruption to day-to-day operations. As a fully supported programme, the ambition is for this technology to become a fundamental support to the route’s safe systems of work.
This deployment represents an important milestone in the ongoing efforts to prioritise worker safety within the rail sector and aligns with Network Rail’s Control Period 7 (CP7) plan. Under CP7, Network Rail’s Western route has been allocated a substantial £3.3 billion investment, specifically earmarked for critical renewals and supporting workforce safety through the implementation of new technology and innovations.
Ash Bayley, Tended’s Client Implementation Manager, who will be overseeing the deployment, said: “We are really excited to be working with Network Rail’s Western route to support them in their drive to reduce the risks associated with working on or near the line. Our delivery framework is something a bit different to how new technology is typically introduced as we work towards successfully embedding geofencing into business as usual. Our implementation managers will engage the teams with regular site visits and sessions to support them in adopting this cutting-edge technology. Fitting seamlessly alongside Western’s existing processes, our centimetre accurate wearables will play a pivotal role in enhancing workforce safety across the route.”
Nick Galliott, Planning & Line Block SME for the Western Workforce Safety Team, said: “We are really excited to be working with Tended on the Western Route to help support us in our drive to reduce the risks associated with working on or near the line. Tended’s delivery framework is something a bit different to how new technology is typically introduced as we work towards successfully embedding geofencing/tagging into business as usual. Tended’s implementation managers will engage with TWS managers and the frontline teams with regular site visits and sessions to support them in adopting this cutting-edge technology. Tended’s geofencing technology has seen rapid adoption across the industry, notably with Network Rail’s Wales and Borders Route as the largest deployment of geofencing technology to date and we are very keen to utilise this technology too”.
