Network Rail

‘We are delighted with the consistently high level of service provided by UPL. The company’s professional approach and dedicated project management services have allowed us to successfully complete the trial period, whilst enjoying improved DNO performance and a reduction in our average connection cost. The expert value engineering skills of our dedicated account manager and his team have enabled us to make significant cost savings over the past number of months. We look forward to working with UPL during the next phase of the project.’
William Ross, Project Manager (National Power), GSM-R project: Network Rail

Created in March 2002, Network Rail owns and operates Britain’s rail infrastructure. Employing 32,000 people throughout the UK, the company serves more than one billion passengers each year. Network Rail aims to provide a safe, reliable and efficient service by improving and investing in the national rail network.

Background
As part of Network Rail’s strategic development plan to upgrade the national rail infrastructure, the company is installing 2,000 radio base stations across the UK. These base stations are designed to provide a secure means of communication between train drivers and signallers, replacing the ageing radio network analogue system with advanced train cab radio technology and improving rail safety. The £1.7 billion scheme, which has already been implemented on most rail networks across Europe, will see 2,000 base stations installed along every 5km of Britain’s tracks by 2012.

Services Provided
Each of the base stations requires substantial electrical power in order to ensure adequate communication coverage between train drivers and signallers. UPL provides specialist value engineering and project management services for the scheme, liaising with DNOs to determine optimal points of connection, and assessing and negotiating quotations to guarantee the most cost-effective result. UPL is also currently working on a trial rollout of 50 AMR meters for Network Rail. Previous attempts by other meter operators to install such meters had caused difficulties for Network Rail, with many installation appointments subject to delay or cancellation on behalf of the meter operator. Each of the 13 AMR meter installations which UPL has so far carried out for Network Rail has taken place on time, saving the company valuable time and resources.

Savings
UPL has been working with Network Rail throughout the four-year trial phase of the rail infrastructure upgrade scheme. To date, our value engineering team has enabled Network Rail to make savings in excess of £215,000 over a 16-month period.