An effective asset management strategy is critical in order for companies to optimise asset performance and maximise returns on investments. With help from ERA, Railtrack adopted a systematic approach to asset management, delivering value to shareholders.

Railtrack had a requirement to develop a high level strategy for the management of its electrical power assets and the subsequent development of an asset management plan. ERA helped Railtrack develop such a strategy to deliver significant operational and capital cost savings arising from reduced maintenance overhauls, reduced risk to operations due to a decrease in planned outages and functional failures, and deferment of asset replacement.

The ultimate objective of the asset management plan was to deliver a cohesive plan to address all activities on the electrical power system including inspection and maintenance, asset refurbishment and asset replacement. ERA's experts worked with Railtrack to establish an effective and strategic planning process.

ERA's systematic step-by-step approach ensured a thorough, robust and flexible process essential in today's rapidly moving and increasingly demanding business environment. In developing a strategy ERA needed to identify and address the key business drivers and ensure that a flexible planning process was in place to deliver outputs to satisfy changing business objectives.

It was envisaged that the asset management plan would ultimately cover all major electrical power assets to reduce Railtrack's technical and business risks and satisfy shareholders' expectations.

For further information contact: safetyengineering@era.co.uk