Project Overview
This project focused on replacing the concrete track and points at the entry to Paddington Station’s District Line platforms. Conducted over two weekends with a two-week gap in between, the objective was to renew aging points and crossings that had reached the end of their operational life. Track Partnership, a collaboration between London Underground and Balfour Beatty Rail, commissioned the project.
Challenges Encountered
Complexity of Track Replacement: The project required a phased approach—cutting into one half of the points during the first weekend, with completion scheduled for the second. This approach added complexity, as ensuring precise alignment between the new and existing track was crucial to avoid service disruptions.
Concrete Curing Requirements: To maintain safe operations, newly laid concrete needed a minimum of six hours to cure before train services could resume. Delays in curing risked over-runs, which were not acceptable to London Underground. During the first weekend, the project narrowly avoided an overrun, revealing a need for increased efficiency in the second phase.
Logistics of Concrete Delivery: The delivery method was innovative yet challenging. Concrete was transported from the roadway above Paddington Station through the ventilation shafts and laid directly in the tunnels, requiring tight coordination to ensure efficient delivery and proper curing.
Solutions Implemented
Sentry Cameras for Process Analysis and Improvement: The Sentry System, a video monitoring tool, was used to capture and analyse both above and below-ground operations. While underground, Sentry ran on the tunnel’s 110V power supply. Four cameras monitored the points and crossings replacement site, while two cameras above ground tracked concrete delivery to the tunnels.
Concrete Curing and Temperature Monitoring: New concrete thermometers accurately monitored curing progress, ensuring the concrete set properly within the required timeframe. This innovation helped prevent delays in returning the railway to operational status.
Efficiency Improvements from Video Analysis: Between the two weekends, the team analysed footage from Sentry Cameras, identifying inefficiencies in work movements and processes. Adjustments were made for the second weekend to streamline operations, reduce downtime, and improve overall efficiency.
Results and Key Takeaways
Timely Completion of Works: The first weekend’s work narrowly avoided overruns, with the handover completed only five minutes before the deadline. For the second weekend, the adjustments made from video analysis led to finishing four hours ahead of schedule, a significant improvement given the increased workload.
Additional Works of Opportunity: The time saved allowed the team to complete additional tasks within the same closure period. This reduced the need for future closures on the line, minimising disruption for commuters and generating additional income for Balfour Beatty Rail.
10% Program Time Savings: The project achieved a 10% reduction in total programme time, even before accounting for the extra works completed. This efficiency gain underscored the value of using innovative monitoring systems like Sentry to optimise work processes.
Client Satisfaction and Future Opportunities: Alistair McLoughlin, Head of Delivery at Track Partnership, praised the Sentry System’s role in transforming project delivery. The system offered valuable real-time insights that allowed the team to refine future projects and improve safety planning. Additionally, its “Safety Cam Mode” provided minute-by-minute details to enhance safety and enable thorough incident investigation. McLoughlin noted that Sentry’s deployment at Paddington Station saved four hours against the 52-hour planned schedule, showcasing its significant benefits for infrastructure projects.
Conclusion
The Paddington Station project exemplifies how innovative technology and detailed analysis can drive efficiency in complex railway works. By using the Sentry System to monitor and refine work processes, the team overcame challenges, completed the project ahead of schedule, and delivered long-term advantages for both the client and the public. This success highlights the potential for similar technology applications in future railway projects, setting a standard for efficient and safe project delivery.