As rail operators worldwide work hard to bounce back from the worst impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry is still facing significant challenges. Budgets are tight, thanks to the combined effects of the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Governments are also putting pressure on rail operators to reduce costs but cutting back on services is only sometimes a feasible solution. That's why rail maintenance engineering directors are looking for ways to increase efficiency and deliver more capacity while controlling costs.

Key Priorities

Solutions, including adopting relatively low-cost new technology, data analytics, and transitioning to condition-based maintenance, are now considered top priorities for many rail operators. The goal is to calibrate maintenance for different types of trains and routes, whether new, legacy, or second-hand, to determine when it makes sense to implement condition-based maintenance or a new predictive technique versus sticking with traditional maintenance practices for specific components. The key is to use these tools in a way that delivers a clear return on investment and provides a clear improvement to maintenance planning that ultimately results in cost reduction.

Rail operators' sensors on their trains generate massive amounts of data. Globally, many operators are investing significantly in condition-based monitoring and sensor systems.  Nonetheless, the industry is hampered by its inability to make reliable data-based decisions; this is not just a technical integration problem. You told us that it often boils down to getting better at aligning people, technology, & workflow. We listened by devoting the first day to creating strategic solutions for maximising the value of generated data. How to use it in the real world to make cost-effective maintenance decisions. To assist you in delivering capacity at a lower cost.

Greater Emphasis On Cost Reduction

The topic of recent LBCG rail maintenance conferences has always been cost reduction, but the emphasis at this year's Rolling Stock Maintenance & Depot Innovation Europe 2023 is much greater. Investing in new technology or AI software is relatively inexpensive compared to the billions of dollars required to operate a fleet of trains on a national railway. So, despite the event's emphasis on cost-cutting, we'll be looking at many new technologies and examining those that can truly add value to cost reduction. Whether using the most recent AI tools to automate data usage or new advancements in condition-based monitoring. The emphasis is on simplifying implementation and improving the execution of benefits derived from new technology.

Many sessions will also investigate cost-cutting measures through the lens of delivering service capacity and looking at improving the efficiency of maintenance regimes to determine the best way forward.  Is it about increased standardisation? Or is it more about automation or, better resourcing and accounting, to improve availability? 

Other Agenda Focus Areas

As you will see from the agenda, this conference is not solely about technology. Innovative tech is essential, but so are all the other factors that can contribute to cost savings. Standardisation, efficient maintenance procedures, building the optimal culture and improving workforce performance all play a role. We will look at every one of these factors in detail.  

There will also be a greater emphasis on condition-based monitoring and how to extract value from it.  You told us during our research conversations that finely calibrating CBM with classical maintenance is often where the real cost-reduction opportunities lie. And many of the case studies will focus on the art and science of doing this.