Network Rail is hoping to reduce delays and improve safety on its routes across the South West using technology that can inspect tracks by taking thousands of high-quality pictures.
The railway network manager is working with geo-data specialist Fugro to take pictures of miles of track to millimetre accuracy for analysis.
The trial is being funded with a £394,000 grant from the Department for Transport through the First of a Kind 2020 rail industry innovation programme, which is managed by Innovate 海角视频.
The move follows a successful trial across Wales in 2019.
The imagery survey, known as a Rail Infrastructure Alignment Acquisition (RILA), will capture 97 per cent of Network Rail’s Western route, which runs from Paddington to Penzance and to the Welsh border.
The data will provide an almost complete view of the network to levels of accuracy that have never been seen before, according to Network Rail.
The advanced imagery measures exact track position, track geometry and the wider rail corridor, and will mean any faults on the line can be detected more quickly - and before they potentially lead to delays for passengers.
It will also improve safety, according to Network Rail, by reducing the time engineers need to spend on the track.
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Mike Gallop, Network Rail’s Western route director, said: “It’s fantastic to be using cutting-edge technology to reduce cost of maintenance and effectively provide passengers with an improved experience on the railway.
“We are excited to see the survey results and look forward to seeing the benefits for passengers, and our colleagues on the Western route.”
Rikkert Wienia, regional manager rail at Fugro added: “With RILA we have revolutionised the way railway data and asset information is collected.
"Geo-data is delivered faster, with less disruption to normal rail services and increasing the safety profile considerably for track survey works.”