Date: |
27 Jun 2025, 12.00PM – 5.00PM |
duration: |
5 hrs |
Location: |
Online |
Cost: |
Free event |
The future of railway infrastructure depends on how effectively we manage, monitor, and maintain our track assets. This talk explores recent innovations in railway track asset management, underpinned by research and practical application in the South African context. Drawing on key principles of asset-centric management, the presentation demonstrates how integrated technologies are reshaping maintenance strategies across the track lifecycle.
Central to this transformation is the concept of the digital railway—leveraging real-time monitoring, intelligent analytics, and smart components to shift from reactive to predictive maintenance. The talk covers innovations such as the Kli-pi smart sensor, smart rail pads, LiDAR-based tunnel moisture mapping, instrumented track vehicles, and fibre-optic sensing for stress monitoring. Emphasis is placed on condition analysis approaches, digital twins, and machine learning techniques for asset performance prediction and deterioration modeling.
Through case studies involving field monitoring sites, derailment investigations, and infrastructure testing, the talk illustrates the value of novel methods in improving safety, efficiency, and reliability. The presentation also highlights the importance of skills development, engineering education, and the role of national facilities such as Engineering 4.0 in enabling on-track research, data collection, and qualification programmes. These innovations collectively form the foundation of a smarter, more resilient railway system where data-driven asset management is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Speaker Bio: Prof. Hannes Gräbe heads the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology (EBIT). He holds the Chairs in Railway Engineering and Railway Safety, funded by Transnet and the Railway Safety Regulator. His research focuses on innovative track condition monitoring systems and techniques, advanced geotechnical testing of track formation materials, data analytics in railway engineering and the numerical analysis of railway structures. Prof. Gräbe also develops and delivers railway engineering courses and programs tailored to the needs of the South African railway industry.
The Railway Technical Society of Australia - New Zealand Chapter (RTSA) invite you to join this webinar presented by Prof. Hannes Gräbe.
The future of railway infrastructure depends on how effectively we manage, monitor, and maintain our track assets. This talk explores recent innovations in railway track asset management, underpinned by research and practical application in the South African context. Drawing on key principles of asset-centric management, the presentation demonstrates how integrated technologies are reshaping maintenance strategies across the track lifecycle.
Central to this transformation is the concept of the digital railway—leveraging real-time monitoring, intelligent analytics, and smart components to shift from reactive to predictive maintenance. The talk covers innovations such as the Kli-pi smart sensor, smart rail pads, LiDAR-based tunnel moisture mapping, instrumented track vehicles, and fibre-optic sensing for stress monitoring. Emphasis is placed on condition analysis approaches, digital twins, and machine learning techniques for asset performance prediction and deterioration modeling.
Through case studies involving field monitoring sites, derailment investigations, and infrastructure testing, the talk illustrates the value of novel methods in improving safety, efficiency, and reliability. The presentation also highlights the importance of skills development, engineering education, and the role of national facilities such as Engineering 4.0 in enabling on-track research, data collection, and qualification programmes. These innovations collectively form the foundation of a smarter, more resilient railway system where data-driven asset management is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Speaker Bio: Prof. Hannes Gräbe heads the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology (EBIT). He holds the Chairs in Railway Engineering and Railway Safety, funded by Transnet and the Railway Safety Regulator. His research focuses on innovative track condition monitoring systems and techniques, advanced geotechnical testing of track formation materials, data analytics in railway engineering and the numerical analysis of railway structures. Prof. Gräbe also develops and delivers railway engineering courses and programs tailored to the needs of the South African railway industry.
