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Railnet Migration
Case Study
Overview
Client:
Network Rail
Value:
£12m
Completion:
2024
Works:
Telecoms
Project
Overview
This digitalisation project by Network Rail aimed to migrate their telephony system to a new IP-based solution across their 210 sites. The objective was to seamlessly transition from the existing MD110 ETD system to the new Voice Complete Telephony (VCT) solution before the service end date in 2024.
Our first appointment as Principal Contractor, the project was both a significant responsibility and an exciting opportunity to demonstrate our capabilities. Our team’s deep technical expertise and experience in large-scale infrastructure projects equipped us to successfully manage the complexities of this nationwide migration programme, ensuring that NRs telephony infrastructure would be future-proofed and fully operational.
Scope of Works
The project involved deploying VCT utilising the existing NR FTN service at 49 locations. During the trial phase, PADs approval for the AudioCodes Media Gateway was secured. Motion was tasked with migrating 65 main sites, along with numerous adjacent sites, from the existing MD110 system to the new VCT and MX1 platforms. This required significant FTNx uplifts, fibre works, and integration activities across a wide geographical area, spanning from Inverness to Penzance and across Wales.
The existing Railnet estate comprised of TDM switches and third-party transmission networks, which needed to be replaced with a new solution. This solution had to maintain continuity of services across the network, minimise disruption to operational services, and integrate seamlessly with various legacy transmission systems.
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'Engineering our Future'
Ensuring Safety and Reliability in Travel
CHALLENGE: Operationally, fatigue and extensive travel were the highest risks, with staff required to travel long distances nationwide elaborated by long working
SOLUTION: To ensure the safety of our team and maintain service continuity, we implemented several immediate measures:
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New Sustainable Fleet: of reliable vehicles to provide resilience, ensuring our staff had dependable transportation to complete their work and return home safely.
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Vehicle Trackers: All vehicles equipped with trackers featuring facial analytics to monitor fatigue. If fatigue was detected, an audible alarm sounds within the cab to immediately alert the driver, while the team on the ground was notified of a potential issue. The system also recorded internal footage, and it provided front-view footage, including as pedestrian warning alerts, and monitored driving behaviours such as speeding.
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Apprentice Support: Recognising 5 apprentices, aged 18-20, were inexperienced drivers, we provided additional support. In addition to the trackers these apprentices received ROSPA training to improve driver skills and behaviours. Each was also assigned a driving mentor, a Motion behavioural safety champion who periodically took then out to for skills updates and guidance.
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Enhanced Communication: To ensure connectivity in all situations, we provided every team member with a Chameleon Sim card, offering coverage wherever a cell signal is available, regardless of network provider. Additionally, as our staff are equipped with iPhones, they can utilise the satellite emergency call option in areas without cell signal
Strategic Planning and Partnership for Large-Scale project success
CHALLENGE: The transient nature of the project, spanning sites nationwide, posed significant challenges As an SME, a £12m project was a considerable leap in scale. Given that this was one of NRs largest telecoms projects, it was imperative to deliver safely, fulfil our CDM duties, and uphold NRs and our Customer Colts's reputation.
SOLUTION:
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Site-Specific Planning: and documentation for each site’s unique access and lineside needs, ensuring CDM compliance throughout the project. Safety was prioritised from design though to installation, testing, maintenance, and equipment recovery. Racks were pre-assembled at our facility to ensure quality control, maximise productivity, and minimise site travel, adopting a right-first-time approach. Quality Check Sheets were completed upon installation to eliminate snags and avoid costly return visits. This robust planning and detailed delivery strategy allowed Motion to complete installations in one visit, a critical factor for the successful UK-wide delivery of Railnet, preventing programme delays.
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Strategic Partnership: Motion and Colt developed a collaborative strategy to harness the strengths of both a Tier 1 contractor and an SME. Colt provided financial support needed for Motion to mobilise on a scale that would have been challenging independently. In return, Motion contributed its specialised workforce, including highly skilled operational communication engineers in Telecoms PICOT/CRE, FTN and Legacy Transmission systems, and Bearer Circuits, ensuring the successful completion of the project.
Adding Value
Before contract award, we applied Early Contractor Involvement (ECI), working closely with Colt and NR to meticulously review and clarify the Contracts Requirement Technical (CRT). We combined three separate CRTs into a single, cohesive document, resolving any contradictions and ensuring that everything was accounted for and accurately priced. Motion created an Assumptions and Dependencies Register along with a Deviations Matrix to document all changes made during the tender stage, which then became part of the contract. This approach clearly outlined our commercial and delivery commitments and helped us identify potential risks.
We prioritised mutual trust and transparency, optimising the minimum viable product to meet the project requirements within the client’s budget. Our ECI ensured all stakeholders had a clear understanding of achievable outcomes, resulting in a buildable, feasible, and cost-effective CRT.