Network Rail is celebrating clinching four innovation awards, including jointly winning the top honour of Railway Industry Innovation Award, at the Railway Forum / Modern Railways Innovation Awards ceremony on 29 March 2004.
Network Rail and industry colleagues won the top award for the network-wide implementation of the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS). TPWS automatically applies the brakes of a train that has passed a red signal, or that is travelling too fast on the approach to a red signal, speed restriction or buffer stop. It is designed to reduce the consequences of a signal passed at danger (SPAD) by stopping a train that has passed a red signal whilst in the signal’s safety overlap, before it can come into conflict with any other train.
The Shorterm Rail Award for Achievement Through Teamwork was awarded to Network Rail for the West Anglia Route Modernisation (WARM) project. This four year, £184 million project modernised 202 kms of signalling system between Liverpool Street Station and Stansted Airport, including the lines to Chingford, Enfield Town and Hertford East.
Network Rail also won the Bombardier Transportation Award for Innovation in Sustainable Development for its Biodiversity Action Plan. Network Rail has approximately 50,000 hectares of land and is home to numerous protected plants and animals. The Biodiversity Action Plan provides imaginative and innovative working practices in relation to vegetation and wildlife, to ensure the railway industry plays a key role in the national sustainable development effort.
The title of Best Smaller Scale Innovation was awarded to Network Rail engineers who came up with an innovative and low cost solution to the perennial problem of ‘leaves on the line’ on the Windermere branch line. They converted a road-rail machine to enable it to apply sandite to rails, to prevent them becoming slippery due to the autumn leaf fall, and to keep services running efficiently.
Network Rail Chief Executive, John Armitt commented: “Winning these awards is recognition of the flair, innovation and creativity of our people who continually strive to creatively address the many challenges we face in delivering a safe and efficient railway.
“In particular, the top award for TPWS deservedly recognises the successful completion of the biggest safety improvement on the UK's railways since the introduction of the Automatic Warning System over 40 years ago.”
Network Rail is the 'not for dividend' operator of Britain's rail network. Our objective is to provide safe, reliable and efficient rail infrastructure.
We own and maintain the tracks, signals, tunnels, bridges, viaducts, and level crossings. We also own the network’s 2,500 stations, and manage the largest and busiest of them. We provide access to the tracks for every passenger and freight train, timetable their journeys, and operate the signalling, which controls their movements.
Network Rail is a company limited by guarantee with members instead of shareholders. It is run as a commercial organisation, but any operating surplus is re-invested in the rail network.
Our core focus is the operation, maintenance and renewal of existing rail infrastructure, with the Strategic Rail Authority taking the lead on enhancement projects.
We have set clear targets to improve performance and reduce costs, but safety is always at the forefront of our activities as we rebuild Britain's railway.
Details about the company can be found on the Network Rail web site: www.networkrail.co.uk
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