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The Economies of Rail IoT

An IoT niche is better able to quickly attain real benefit

We have set out our reasons for believing that there are economies in wireless rail IoT.  While we also recognise that as a much researched topic, the true value of IoT in more general terms is much more difficult to calculate, for rail, the tangible benefits are easier to see and understand.

And we have based our whole business around this.

Why the status quo is becoming more uneconomic:

Quite simply, because wireless IoT options are now so much more readily attainable, and when compared like for like, the cost benefits are clear.

Wired options to data insight are difficult and expensive in comparison to wireless.  

Rail RCM solutions are capital intensive, require specialist installations and lots of cabling.  This usually means they are put in when vehicles are constructed, as they are impractical to retrofit.  In addition, these technologies are typically not (easily) connected to internet based systems. 

Having worked in Rail for nearly 20 years, it is our understanding that 90% of legacy vehicles used on the UK network have little or no automation and practically zero visibility of critical services. 

It is estimated that it costs £1000 per point to purchase, install and commission on vehicle.

Why wireless IoT in Rail offers economies:

Contrast the cost of £100 per point to purchase, install and commission. 

Wireless is simple and cost effective.

A battery powered wireless sensing capability sits inside a hardened industrial grade package.  This hardware is inexpensive.

One click commissioning with any smartphone is quick and simple.

Wireless IoT, in connection with the vehicle commercial monitoring example on which the figures are based, can be done for 1/10th of the price per point of traditional hardware solutions.

Bringing fringe assets within reach

Transportise’s Vision is to offer a uniform price and technology to connect any ‘thing’ anywhere in the UK rail network regardless of fleet, onboard connectivity or age.  

The Sandbox dynamic level monitoring solution is a good example of how the Tranportise team utilised its own and its partners’ expertise to create a solution that had previously not existed, replacing a manual method with a highly optimised alternative.