Computer software experts at Cambridge Consultants Limited have solved the problem of how to analyse the huge amount of data collected by rolling-stock operating on the Central line.

Computer software experts at Cambridge Consultants Limited (CCL), working with Infraco BCV, a wholly owned subsidiary of London Underground Limited (LUL), have solved the problem of how to analyse the huge amount of data - much of it critical to maintenance, collected by rolling-stock operating on the Central line. Keeping trains in service is critical to Infraco BCV's commitment to ensuring reliability of service. The two hundred or so sensors on each two-car unit that gather data and monitor rolling-stock performance, produce enormous amounts of information, all of which needs to be interpreted and made available to Infraco BCV engineers and maintenance staff in the shortest possible time.

Experts within CCL's Informatics Division have devised a solution called 'The Train Data System' (TDS) which automatically gathers, co-ordinates and delivers data from the rolling-stock, making it available for analysis as soon as possible after a train is stabled, both day and night.

In effect, the TDS system centralises all data gathered on the Central line from rolling stock and makes it available to engineers within minutes of being downloaded - a previously impossible task.

Historically, data gathering has been further complicated by the geography of the Central line.

At the end of the working day, rolling stock may be stabled at any of one of five sites spread across London.

By centralising data, TDS overcomes this hindrance.

Timely analysis of data means that maintenance needs can be anticipated and repairs can all take place with the rolling stock spending a minimal amount of time out of service.

For example, the performance of traction motors is monitored to identify and prioritise those needing an overhaul.

Also, the distance travelled by the unit is recorded and this too is fed into the maintenance schedule.

Brent Richardson, Production Services Manager with Infraco BCV says 'With 72 trains to get out on the track every day to meet the morning and afternoon peak demand, the more improvements we make to the reliability of our trains, the better it will be for our 630,000 daily Central line customers.

TDS gives us the capability to monitor all trains through the track / train Download process when they are in the Depot's and sidings.

This information is rapidly collected and in great detail.

This in turn allow us to spot systems and certain components that are not performing well, allowing us to pro actively identify faults and correct them before they cause failure, therefore removing disruption to our customers'.

Once a train arrives at a depot, it is automatically identified and its data retrieved.

This data is then routed to each other depot resulting in a database for each unit being held at relevant locations.

'Our role is not simply confined to centralising data gathering,' says Peter Bell, who acts as CCL's Project Manager on the assignment, adding: 'We see our function as providing the essential interface between the software which drives the hardware and the human element which need access to timely information.

In that way we can provide a tangible business benefit'.

Although this solution is bespoke to Infraco BCV, Peter Bell believes that the issue of data retrieval and its availability for interpretation has implications for other rail network operators.