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 GSM-R base stations requires electrical power in order to ensure adequate communication coverage between train drivers and signallers. UPL provides project management services for the project (incl DNO Quotation validation, wayleave management and final connection co-ordination) liaising with DNOs (Distribution Network Operators) to ensure the base stations are connected in line with Network Rail's build programme. UPL also install AMR meters for Network Rail on the GSM-R project. 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. Circa 300 AMR meter installations which UPL has so far carried out for Network Rail have taken place on time, saving Network Rail valuable time and resources.

Savings
UPL have been working with Network Rail since 2008 to deliver the new connections for the GSM-R project, a critical part of the power process is analysing the quotations provided by the DNO's to ensure they are the most cost effective design for Network Rail. To date, UPL's value engineering team has saved in excess of £1.2M on a £1.9M spend..