Network Rail High Speed: delivering a safe, reliable, efficient high-speed railway

The company operates and maintains the High Speed 1 (HS1) railway route between London and the Eurotunnel terminal. It maintains more than 12,000 associated civil engineering assets including bridges, tunnels, security fencing and drainage.

Challenge

Stop struggling with Google Maps APIs

Network Rail High Speed was using spreadsheets, databases and disparate systems to catalog information about its assets. So it was looking for a strategic solution that would enable engineers to visualise assets and asset condition and to identify a suitable platform to support future maintenance records.

Solution

A user-friendly, familiar and approachable solution

Snowdrop Solutions used the Maps Javascript API to build the NRHS Route Model web app for Network Rail (High Speed) that shows assets along the HS1 route. It uses Google Maps for zooming, searching and navigation, so engineers can easily view details about an asset, such as drawings, inspection reports and potential hazards near bridges, quickly creating repair plans and dispatching technicians to fix problems.

Network Rail High Speed: Maps APIs for Transportation
Network Rail High Speed: Maps APIs for Transportation

Success

Unleashing rail excellence

75% of its bridges, tunnels and other engineering assets have been layered on top of Google Maps, giving NRHS engineers a more accurate and comprehensive view of the entire route, helping to deliver excellent asset management and efficient rail operations, with technicians better informed about assets, completing repairs faster and safer.

“Since the beginning of 2016, we’ve digitized 75 percent of the HS1 civil engineering assets into the NRHS Route Model due to the Snowdrop Solutions development with Google Maps.”

Mark O’Connor
Civil Engineer