Description:
Derailment is a business risk for rail operators. However, most of the derailments are due to a combination of several causes. This paper presents a derailment study, focusing on Australia, that categorizes a comprehensive set of factors causing derailment and current mitigation techniques. Finally, a risk gap is analysed and integrated model is proposed. Further, the opportunities to incorporate remote monitoring and data analysis technologies to ensure an eMaintenance management of derailment are discussed. A case study on eMaintenance of rail lubrication, which is highly related to derailment, is also demonstrated in this paper.
Description:
A large number of Australian railway bridges were constructed over 80 years ago and have become increasingly costly to maintain. Infrastructure managers are under pressure to maintain bridge structures to a specified performance level with less maintenance funding and fewer resources. Currently, some rail operators maintain bridges through generic asset management systems which are simplistic and only address immediate operational issues. This is despite the fact that a life cycle cost analysis is proven to strategically maintain bridge assets and reduce costs over their operational life. A new bridge management system (BMS) framework which consists of a life cycle cost analysis and strategy model is proposed in this paper. The model can provide solutions at the element, bridge and network levels. A brief background is provided on Australian railway bridge operational history. Finally, a new maintenance cycle is proposed and its components are discussed.
Description:
Rail wheel service life and incurred cost significantly contribute to the economy and performance of Heavy haul railway operations. Effective wayside lubrication becomes part and parcel of steps to combat wear and improves service life multiple times compared to unlubricated rail and wheel. Currently three different types of technology of wayside lubrication are in practice throughout Australian heavy haul operation such as mechanical, hydraulic and electric lubricators. Older lubricator technologies i.e. mechanical and hydraulic, may be attractive from initial low investment point of view; however they harvest significantly lower benefits throughout their life cycle compared to enormous potential of latest technology ( i.e. electric) in the market. However, a proper economic analysis is essential to determine the cost effectiveness of these technologies which may help the heavy haul operators to have a clear understanding of the real benefits which may encourage establishing appropriate asset strategy they need. There are several closely related and commonly used methods for evaluating economic performance. These include life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) method, net benefits (net present worth) method, benefit/cost (or savings-to-investment) ratio method, internal rate-of-return method, and payback method. The basic concept of all these methods is to provide an indication on the cost effectiveness of a single technology. However, LCCA method is a preferred method amongst them because it provides most cost-effective design alternative over a period of life time that includes both the capital cost and ongoing maintenance and operating costs. In current heavy haul practice it is very rare to see any effective asset tactics and asset strategy in place which can evaluate asset performance and their incurred cost. Structured lubrication asset strategy and genuine practice can significantly contribute to heavy haul operations cost reduction, continuous improvement of human resource and sustainable lubrication practice. This paper presents a frame work and model of lifelong lubrication asset strategy and quantifies the benefits throughout incoming journey of Australian heavy haul using LCCA.
Description:
Prognostic models for maintenance decisions have inherent limitations due to quality quantity of historical data, assumptions made, and time required in validating models. In this paper, Preventive Maintenance (PM) Intervals, Failure events, cost and maintenance records from Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) are analyzed for reducing downtimes and Operating Expenditure (OPEX). The proposed methodologies for maintenance intervals and replacements with acceptable level of confidence are articulated to asset maintenance of a City Council of Australian Local Government organisation as a case of improved decision making under limited information.
Description:
IEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management
Description:
Prognostic models for maintenance decisions have inherent limitations due to quality quantity of historical data, assumptions made, and time required in validating models. In this paper, Preventive Maintenance (PM) Intervals, Failure events, cost and maintenance records from Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) are analyzed for reducing downtimes and Operating Expenditure (OPEX). The proposed methodologies for maintenance intervals and replacements with acceptable level of confidence are articulated to asset maintenance of a City Council of Australian Local Government organisation as a case of improved decision making under limited information.
Description:
IEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management
Description:
Abstract: Timber components are very popular due to its flexibility in use and therefore, widely used in bridges and building constructions, rail tracks and supply electricity throughout the world and in Australia. The main reason of this choice is for their high strength per unit weight, low cost and excellent durability. Reliability of these components is extremely important because a failure of these components may cause loss of money, loss of properties, injuries or even loss of lives. Reliability depends on various factors such as species of the timber, structural dimensions in design, environmental condition, human factors in installation, operations and maintenance. In general, the timber structure failures are due to the loss of load bearing capacity from the decrease in peripheral dimensions at or below ground level and loss of strength of timber fibre affecting bending resistance. Soil factors and related decays reduce the diameter and the strength of timber component affecting the safety in operation and service. Rotting of fibre can be from centre to outward or outward to centre by accelerating fungal and insect (termite) attack affecting reliability, availability, maintainability and safety of infrastructure assets. This paper is on investigating soil factors for modelling in ground decay and estimating parameters for failure distribution of timber poles. Real life data from electricity supply company in Australia have been used for modelling and validation. Results from this investigation can be used in optimal decision in maintenance and replacements for reducing the life cycle costs and risks of in-service failure of timber poles and infrastructure assets in similar environment.
Description:
Trauma has a huge impact on the society and the economy. Large distances between the various human settlements in Queensland are a major challenge for the delivery of desired trauma care. In addition, health care budget has been struggling due to staggering costs. An integrated trauma management system (ITMS) is expected to maximise the appropriate and judicious use of available resources and deliver best possible services within budget constraints. A limited number of researches have been conducted to identify resource constraints and effective diversions for trauma cases in remote parts of Queensland. ITMS proposed in this paper covers activities, events and persons involved in trauma management. It analyses the impact of resource constraints and diversion rules for effective trauma care. Pre-hospital data are used for developing a process map. Simulation using Queensland scenarios assumed patients arrivals following the referral from regional/remote hospitals to regional trauma centres and to major trauma centres. Time stamps are used for the development and analysis of a simulation model using probabilistic approach for time to definitive care and patient outcomes. ITMS is able to further enhance quality of strategic planning. It can be extended to real time decision-making for better healthcare and reducing delays for arriving at definitive care. It is expected to further improve clinical outcome and transform the existing healthcare system into a more efficient, cost-effective and high quality healthcare service to the people living in remote areas.
Description:
ISO55000 is the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) standard for asset management published in 2014. It stipulates that effective control and governance of assets by organizations is essential to realize value through managing risk and opportunity, in order to achieve the desired balance of cost, risk and performance. It is a challenge to industries on how to address this. This paper is on the issues and challenges of balancing cost, performance and risk in heavy haul rail asset management. Illustrative example from heavy haul network is used for this and on how to address some of the important challenges faced by heavy haul sector for managing life of rail assets.