Published on: Wednesday, 26 June 2019
Last updated: Wednesday, 26 June 2019
Greater Anglia is investing in hi-tech equipment, that will routinely check the condition of its trains, to help boost performance.
Automatic Vehicle Inspection Systems (AVIS) are set to be installed at Orient Way and Southend Victoria sidings and will be able to measure damage and wear to wheels, check the wear on the pantographs that get power from the overhead wires to the train, as well as look at the condition of brake pads and discs and the profile of the train itself.
The equipment, which is partly built into the track bed and partly installed on a gantry, also checks for damage, loose nuts and high temperatures.
The AVIS system works via remote monitoring and feeds back faults that need fixing via a data link to the train maintainer Bombardier.
As a result, faults can be identified and fixed more quickly to help prevent delays and cancellations.
Surveys and design work have been undertaken at Greater Anglia’s Orient Way and Southend maintenance depot sidings.
The proposals are that the AVIS systems will be installed on the existing carriage wash tracks as AVIS and carriage wash systems both require the full length of the train to pass through them at speeds of three miles per hour.
Greater Anglia Project Manager, Arthur Callan, said, “We’re excited about this new system which will help us further improve performance with our partner, Bombardier Transportation.
“More trains have been running on time this year, but we are continually working to invest in and improve our train maintenance programme so that we can provide the best possible service to customers.”
In the most recent four week period, ending 25 May 2019, Greater Anglia’s overall punctuality figure was 93.7%