LEADING railway engineers from Hatch, a global engineering, project delivery, and professional services firm, have released a comprehensive framework for the assessment, management, and rehabilitation of railway infrastructure.
Timothy Jideani, railway engineer; Keaton Raman, lead rail, civil and perway engineer; and Bennie Vorster, regional director of rail and transit, have co-authored two white papers that address these critical challenges within the heavy haul sector.
One of the papers, titled “Railway System Condition Assessment Outcomes and Action Plan Implementation,” was prominently presented at the South African Heavy Haul Association (SAHHA) Annual Conference, held in Johannesburg in August. The conference focused on the theme “Positioning Heavy Haul for Success: Pit to Port” and provided a platform for discussing challenges and opportunities within the sector.
The white paper and its presentation were directly aligned with the conference’s vision. Brian Monakali, chairman of SAHHA, said, “The conference aimed to provide a platform for industry players to discuss our challenges, solutions, and opportunities, and pave a pathway toward achieving a globally competitive heavy haul system.” Hatch’s paper resonated with these objectives, reflecting a commitment to addressing key sector issues.
Hatch’s Vorster delivered an in-depth presentation on the heavy haul logistics value chain. Vorster’s presentation dissected the interconnected elements and the interdependencies of the various sub systems involved in the heavy haul logistics value chain.
Raman’s presentation focused on the integrated elements of railway infrastructure, emphasizing four key areas:
- Railway infrastructure assets
- Condition assessment and monitoring
- Asset management: Maintenance and rehabilitation
- Implementation challenges
The critical role of rail transport within the logistics value chain was highlighted with Hatch experts advocating for the adoption of modern technologies to enhance asset management. “Optimising capacity and operational efficiencies within our rail networks necessitates well-defined strategies across all subsystems,” Vorster said. “By leveraging digitalisation, AI, and advanced monitoring technologies, we can manage asset conditions proactively and implement maintenance interventions with greater precision, increasing the overall value chain reliability.”
In a parallel session on network capacity, Raman explored the technical complexities of these strategies, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach to railway asset management. Raman underscored the importance of collaboration among the civil, mechanical, electrical, and electronic engineering disciplines, alongside logistics and supply chain management, in maintaining a safe, reliable, and efficient heavy haul system.
The white paper and accompanying presentations outlined a roadmap for the condition assessment of aging railway systems, many of which have exceeded 50 years of service. Vorster and his team demonstrated the application of advanced technologies, including sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and AI, to conduct real-time condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. These innovations are crucial for sustaining the infrastructure that underpins the heavy haul industry. Modern condition monitoring systems provide maintenance engineers with precise data on physical asset conditions, such as temperature, acoustic signatures, and internal defects. The use of AI in processing large datasets further enhances decision-making processes, enabling timely interventions. “The integration of AI and machine learning in condition assessment processes is essential for optimising maintenance schedules and preventing system failures,” Raman asserted.
As the conference drew to a close, Raman emphasised the importance of updating railway condition benchmarks to align with current operational realities. He advocated for continuous assessment and timely interventions to prevent asset failures and ensure the long-term viability of South Africa’s heavy haul railway networks. “Integrating modern technologies into our maintenance regimes is not merely an option but a necessity,” Raman concluded. “Our approach must be data-driven and risk-focused, ensuring that every decision we make enhances the reliability and safety of our railway systems.”
Hatch published two further papers at the conference, the first of which focused on addressing the ongoing challenges faced by railway operators amidst asset decay through a risk-based assessment methodology. This paper was co-authored by Anneri Robinson, rail systems lead, and Nathan Wilson, engagement manager in Hatch’s advisory team.
The second paper provided insights on the private partnerships and investment required to unlock rail capacity growth. This paper was authored by Herman Strauss, principal, supported by Nico Smit, senior principal and Khutso Sekgota, senior principle all of whom are part of Hatch’s advisory team.
Hatch’s contributions to the SAHHA 2024 Conference have fostered ongoing dialogue and innovation within the heavy haul sector, underscoring the company’s commitment to advancing South Africa’s railway infrastructure for future success.
