Tended has announced a new phase of collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) to further develop its Virtual Worksite Marker Board (VWSMB) technology for the rail industry.
The project builds on the company’s 2023 Digital Worksite programme and will focus on enhancing the accuracy, reliability and operational performance of the technology in live rail environments.
VWSMB technology replaces traditional physical Worksite Marker Boards with digital boundaries, helping engineering teams manage safe working limits more efficiently. A small device installed in the cab of on-track plant uses geospatial data to determine its position within a worksite. If the vehicle crosses the defined boundary, the system alerts the operator immediately.
By removing the need to place and recover physical marker boards, the technology reduces the exposure of track workers to risk while also helping to avoid common causes of delays and possession overruns.
Demonstrated benefits in rail operations
Trials of the system have already shown measurable benefits across the rail network. An early industry trial with Siemens Mobility resulted in an estimated £130,000 cost saving by reducing possession overrun length.
A subsequent trial with Network Rail on the East Coast route delivered a 45-minute time saving by eliminating the need to place and retrieve physical boards, extending the available engineering work window by 17%.
Following those results, the technology has since been deployed in Scotland, where SPL Powerlines and Network Rail Scotland became the first organisations in the region to adopt it.
During the first shift of use, the system delivered a 30-minute time saving, allowed two Engineering Supervisor Assistants to be redeployed to other duties and reduced vehicle mileage by 32 miles, lowering emissions on a key decarbonisation project.
Next phase of development
The latest collaboration with ESA will focus on strengthening navigation performance through the use of space-based positioning systems. The improvements are intended to deliver greater precision and reliability in complex or challenging operational environments.
Alongside navigation enhancements, the project will explore ways to improve asset traceability and strengthen the overall platform used to plan and manage engineering works.
The continued partnership aims to ensure the technology integrates seamlessly into existing rail operations while delivering tangible operational benefits. By combining advanced satellite positioning with digital worksite management, Tended is seeking to provide safer and more efficient ways for teams to carry out engineering work across the rail network.
