EngD - Evaluation of New Technologies to Support Asset Management Metro Systems. Towards more sustainable management of metro systems. Project partner: London Underground

PROJECT BACKGROUND:
The long term maintenance and upgrade of civil engineering assets on metros, through the application of Asset Management, requires knowledge of the condition of the assets as most suffer from decline in condition and are affected adversely by adjacent new works. Without clear knowledge and indication of asset condition and decline, the whole life costing and allocation of resources for the sustainability of the assets becomes questionable.

In order to determine the condition of metro assets, monitoring of the changes in their condition is key to any further evaluation. Current techniques tend to rely on manual inspections, supported by some form of measurement. This is very time consuming and costly, when the whole of a metro network needs to be inspected regularly and there are limited periods when access is available.

There is, therefore, a need for improved methods of determining the condition of structures and tunnels in order that the required data can be obtained and interpreted, speedily, with little or no disruption of metro services (We prefer not to steer the project to laser scanning only but welcome all available technology PE).

Key Research Outcomes:
- Assessment and comparison of existing technologies and the application of new technologies in the metro environment;
- Recommendations for good practice for monitoring and measurement of civil engineering physical assets
- Improvement in the knowledge of asset condition through trials and co-ordination with LU projects (We assume that the project will involve trials of technology which can be co-ordinated with LU projects.)
- More precise determination of whole life costing within an Asset Management framework
- Knowledge transfer between industry and academia across disciplines
- Methods for rapid interpretation of data and production of clearly understandable results and conclusions (We consider that a key part of the project should be to ensure that we can swiftly interpret the mass of data that can be collected.)

IMPACT:
The result of the project will enable metros including London Underground to monitor better their civil engineering assets and have more certainty in the programming of maintenance regimes. Through the CoMET/NOVA groups such developments will assist in the management and maintenance of metro systems world-wide, with consequential benefits in life expectancy of infrastructure assets and thereby a reduction in energy consumption.

STUDENT BACKGROUND:
The ideal candidate is likely to have a degree (masters) in engineering or a related subject, with a background in instrumentation, preferably associated with civil engineering. Practical experience is desirable, but not essential. The candidate needs to be an innovator keen to:
- spend the necessary time in the design office and on site;
- understand construction processes;
- develop and apply new technologies;
- develop data-handling systems for rapid feed-back in the decision-making process
- develop an in-depth knowledge of asset management

Training will be provided to the candidate who wishes to progress towards Chartered Engineer status.