We’re pleased to announce we have been awarded Government Transport and Innovate UK funding for our OLErt dynamic monitoring system.

As one of 24 winning projects in the third round of the First Of A Kind (FOAK) competition, the win will enable Incremental to build upon the successful trial of the system and begin nationwide roll-out.

With the overall aim to help create a more safe, efficient and effective electrified train network, the OLErt system is unique, and will dramatically reduce the incidence of failures to electrified infrastructure and fleets. By continually monitoring and evaluating train infrastructure (in this case, the Overhead Line Equipment), the system analyses data to highlight abnormal events – before they happen. As this is recorded, analysed and reported in real-time, it can therefore prevent dewirements and any other overhead line issues, whose effect is often felt across the railway network.

As announced in January of this year, the OLErt system was chosen by Network Rail and GWR to prototype the technology solution, http://incrementalsolutions.co.uk/incremental-chosen-to-develop-innovative-monitoring-system-for-electric-trains-2/.

The FOAK competition is part of the Department for Transports £7.8 million investment to drive forward innovation which will transform the railways. Other winning ideas included inspection drones, hydrogen train trials and sound mitigation products.

For more on the Department for Transport and this story;https://www.gov.uk/government/news/78-million-to-drive-forward-innovative-ideas-to-transform-railways