Railway-track inspection services

Tender description

Network Rail is keen to understand, explore and engage the market to gather market intelligence on existing and potentially new track measurement solutions/products that could be available in the market that have the ability to acquire track geometry data. Following several freight derailments in recent years across the rail network, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has issued the rail industry (this includes Network Rail, Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and Freight Operating Companies (FOCs) a list of recommendations to reduce the safety risks. This has led to the creation of a Cross-Industry Freight Derailment Prevention Group (XIFDPG) aimed at working collaboratively to improve performance, enhance safety by reducing the risk of freight derailment and minimising disruption. Due to the current regime of train borne (dynamic) geometry acquisition, the risk of freight derailment is considerably low. However, there has been a number of freight derailments; as a result, this has highlighted concerns around sections of the track which are being manually inspected (non-dynamic) for Geometry. Network Rail as the infrastructure manager; is looking to improve the existing manual inspection processes for track geometry. Areas of concern identified include infrequently used lines, junctions, crossovers, loops, etc. Network Rail wishes to undertake a market testing exercise to help explore potential solutions in the market that can measure and acquire track geometry data. Through this PIN, Network Rail is keen to understand, explore and engage the market to gather market intelligence on existing and potentially new track measurement solutions/products that could be available in the market that have the ability to acquire track geometry data. Network Rail will welcome innovative ideas and best practice suggestions from interested parties who can request a market testing questionnaire from Shemunatsi.Madziba@networkrail.co.uk not later than 28.2.2020. This PIN is not a formal procurement process and no activity will result in a contract between Network Rail and any party.