Rolling Stock Fleet Maintenance Congress 2015

Image courtesy of IBCG

The fourth annual Rolling Stock Fleet Maintenance Congress will take place on 910 December in London. Tickets are still available to attend.

The congress is the worlds only event to concentrate on predictive maintenance and dynamic scheduling . It will hear case studies from Europe, Asia and Africa, with major operators sharing their experiences on a range of topics.

Utilising Technology and Data Analytics

The first keynote speech will come from the events headline sponsor, Perpetuum, represented by Commercial Director Justin Southcombe, who will share their experiences in delivering cost savings and the transformation of decision making by way of condition-based monitoring and data analytics applications. He will look at the benefits of training staff to use big data and monitoring technology to balance maintenance with operational requirements and extend the life of the fleet and thus save on cost and time.

London Underground will present on the identification of failure patterns using software and analytics, followed by Perpetuum sharing best practices for data collection and analysis and the benefits that can be reaped from leveraging the full potential from existing software.

The Role of Big Data Analysis in Predictive Maintenance

Tsuyoshi Ichigi, from Japan Railways East Group, will advise on how to make meaningful decisions based on data analysis in order to complete predictive maintenance and dynamic activity scheduling . Gorka Parada from NEM Solutions (Spain) will speak on the implications on the use of big data over smart data, and the pitfalls of focusing on problems rather than solutions.

Three speakers from SNCB (Belgium) will showcase their telemetry systems and their use in generating real-time alerts, assisting monitoring teams and reducing costs. Francesco Romano from Trenitalia (Italy) will focus on the quality of collected data in order for it to accurately inform maintenance decisions, as well as the benefits of standardised data processing and reportage.

Integrating Real World Limitations into Dynamic Scheduling

Mark Johnson from Southeastern (UK) will share a case study on wheelsets and bearings, examining the most cost-effective methods of performing condition monitoring and maintenance, determining which methods of maintenance and scheduling can best reduce lifecycle costs, and whether it is best not to buy cheap and buy twice.

The first day of the congress will end with a panel of experts from the UK discussing the capacity of software solutions to integrate real-world limitations (such as traffic, weather and staff availability) into maintenance scheduling. This will be followed by networking drinks in the exhibition arena.

Maintenance Demands and Data Collection Systems

The second day of the congress will begin with Neil OConnor of South West Trains (UK) giving a speech on introducing rolling stock and the challenge of balancing maintenance demands between new and legacy rolling stock. Olivier Andr from Porterbrook (UK) will deliver an overview of how train owners maximise data in order to obtain a competitive advantage.

Bhoopathi Rapolu, from Cyient Europe Ltd (UK) will look at the role of artificial intelligence in minimizing costs, followed by delegates from GVB (Netherlands) reviewing the best of track-side and train-based monitoring systems for data-collection operations. A technology briefing from Ander Azcarate, from Danobat (Spain) will brief on the optimisation of rail depot equipment for gear running condition-based maintenance.

Technological Trends in the Rail Industry

A panel from the UK and Ireland will discuss the role of supply chains and partnerships in the reduction of maintenance costs and the relative benefits of risk sharing. Dirk Seckler, from Knorr-Bremse Rail Services (Germany) will speak on the application of technologies from other industries in the rail sector in order to improve best-practice. Philippe de Laharpe, from SNCF (France) will deliver the business case for predicative maintenance technologies and the impacts of adjusting maintenance strategy.

Baptiste Jouffroy, from GE Digital (UK-France-Germany) will give a briefing on the role of the industrial internet in bringing the railway industry into the digital age, with case studies on fuel liquid supply problems and the issue of combustion. Teemu Rintala, from VR Group (Finland) will share a case study on the use of data analysis to improve decision-making processes.

Real-World Impacts on Maintenance

The final presentations of the congress will come from Arvid Fredman, of SJ (Sweden) who will share his experience of maintenance procedures in cold conditions to avoid snow disrupting operations. The final panel will come from the UK and Ireland, looking at the human impact of condition-based maintenance, with the role of staff training and qualification and accreditation requirements in order to reap the benefits of innovations in data analysis, software and hardware.

Rolling Stock Fleet Maintenance Exhibition

The congress will also host an exhibition, with new products, software and engineering innovations in the industry on show. There will be plenty of networking opportunities including coffees and drinks, with time to meet potential partners and touch base with existing clients. It promises to be an informative and interesting event, well attended by major operators and service providers.