Leeds-based SaaS company eviFile has been selected by Network Rail and the TRU Alliance to power its digital project management and progressive assurance approach for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) programme, a £9.6 billion project to improve connectivity on the 122km line between York and Manchester.
The TRU programme aims to increase line speed, electrify the line between Manchester and York, and upgrade signalling to increase tracks from two to four in places. It is expected to create 22,000 jobs and deliver shorter and more comfortable journeys for passengers.
eviFile's Field-to-Control Room insight solution will be used to overhaul railway possession activities, including how it tracks completions management, quantities and volumes, and progress on site. The solution will also provide real-time possessions and blockade reporting, daily shift reporting and time management, Close Calls data capture, and a single solution for Quality Check Sheets and Inspection & Test Plan (ITP) management for all the contractors working across the TRU footprint.
In the first 18 months of eviFile’s deployment workforce productivity has increased by up to 20% through better data capture, reporting, quality and performance tracking. It has also managed to save an average of 2.5 hours in each 24 hours of the possession.
eviFile has delivered over 100 possessions to date, with this number set to increase dramatically as the new contract enables over 1200 users to manage all work digitally.
The contract was awarded following a successful pilot that improved project efficiency by over 20% and reduced hours spent in possessions reporting by over 50%.
Luke Allen, managing director of eviFile, said: "Our vision of better project control to improve construction performance through increased transparency has come to fruition with the TRU programme. For the first time, clients, alliances and primary contractors can track all works and activities in real-time, hour-by-hour, from anywhere."
The new contract is expected to save the TRU programme £10 million over the next five years.
The TRU programme is one of the largest and most complex rail projects in the UK. It is expected to be completed in 2029.
Photo Credit: Istock
Please note - This article has been edited to reflect a true statement, correcting an previously incorrect statement which is; However, it’s missing the fact that the time saved on possessions was on the reporting element of the works, rather than the possession itself
