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Using virtual reality to improve and enhance HS2’s reliability
David White, HS2’s Head of Strategic Planning and Asset Management, explains the importance of harnessing the power of the digital twin
Photo: HS2
HS2 has said that virtual reality and real time monitoring by sensors built into its infrastructure – including rails, bridges and overhead power lines – will help make it one of the world’s most reliable railways.
Detailed designs are being prepared by engineers working on the new high-speed rail network using advanced computer design programmes. The data will be used to inform construction of HS2 and build the railway’s digital twin, a virtual reality 3D replica that will be as detailed as the real thing.
During HS2’s construction thousands of remote condition monitoring sensors, similar to those used in Formula One and aviation, will be built into the physical line’s infrastructure as if it were the railway’s version of the body’s nervous system.
These sensors will monitor performance of the railway’s assets and components to predict and prevent failure, helping to underpin the line’s reliability and ultimately the punctuality of its passenger services.
Harnessing the power Taking live information on the health of its infrastructure from thousands of sensors across the route and building it into HS2’s digital twin has created Britain’s new high-speed rail network in complete virtual form.
David White, HS2’s Head of Strategic Planning and Asset Management, said: “With HS2’s digital twin-based predict-and-prevent approach to maintenance we have the ability to prevent failures and replace assets when the system indicates a decline in performance, as opposed to relying on a rolling programme of asset replacement.
“Harnessing the power of the digital twin and its predictive capability could see an asset’s operational life extended by months or even years. This will enable us to reduce cost, cut waste and shrink the environmental footprint of HS2’s maintenance operation and maintain a consistently high level of customer service.”
The data that sensors on board the high-speed trains collect will be transmitted directly to HS2’s Birmingham-based Network Integrated Control Centre (NICC) at Washwood Heath.
Here, engineers and maintenance teams will analyse data with the use of AI to monitor asset performance trends across the network. Artists impression of an HS2 train from the side A downward trend in asset performance will trigger HS2’s predict-and-prevent maintenance programme. However, before going out on site, engineers will use virtual reality headsets to investigate issues from the safety of the NICC. The technology will enable maintenance teams to understand issues and, in some cases, resolve them without even having to physically go out on location. Safe and reliable HS2 says virtual reality technology has an important part to play in keeping teams familiar with the railway. David said: “HS2 will be very safe and reliable, not least because it will be new and built to the latest standards. “This in itself creates the challenge of keeping staff trained and competent to run and maintain both the railway and its stations. “We will create new tools through the use of virtual and augmented reality technologies to maintain and enhance the skills of our maintenance and station teams.”
