From Manual to Robotic -Assessing the Potential Benefits of Automation in Railway Inspections and Maintenance

Abstract: The railway industry plays a crucial role in the global freight transport and passenger mobility market, providing an efficient and low-emitting mode of transportation. However, to compete with other modes of transportation, the railway must improve its reliability. Frequent inspection and maintenance work are essential for ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of railway operations. This thesis especially focuses on the atomization of railway inspections to improve the efficiency on inspections and lighter maintenance activities, giving more time for the maintenance personnel to do the heavier maintenance tasks. The approach used were interviews, field studies and database analysis. The interviews and field study were held in Norway with Norwegian track technicians, while the database analysis was done with Swedish data. This because I was not able to receive the Norwegian data and had to resort to the Swedish. Results of the conducted data collection methods were that there are a lot of potential cost and efficiency benefits by robotizing and automating certain tasks and processes, as well as the safety and health of the technicians. Another important aspect was the perceived positivity from the track technicians regarding an implementation. The thesis examines the current maintenance market Norway and discusses the challenges and opportunities for improvement. Further delimitations in the thesis are a greater focus on maintenance and inspection tasks in proximity to railway turnouts. By analyzing studies, industry data and interviews with maintenance personnel this thesis will set out to identify how robotization and automation could optimize railway inspections and lighter maintenance work to ensure a more reliable and sustainable system.