UK Tram\u2019s Light Rail Engineering Group recently met in Birmingham for their first meeting of 2025 alongside a best practice day where they discussed the challenge posed by \u201cgrey assets\u201d. These are assets may not be subject to clear ownership which present difficulties for tramway operators and their engineers when it comes to funding and scheduling essential maintenance.<\/p>\n
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UKTram\u2019s Lead Engineer, Phillip Terry, explained: \u201cOne example highlighted was a traction substation, where the electrical apparatus was managed and maintained by\u00a0the system operator\u2019s engineer, but responsibility for the fabric of the building was\u00a0unclear.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnless these areas of responsibility between the power engineer and infrastructure manager can be clearly defined, it risks becoming a grey area of responsibility when attention is required, without any budget or plan in place to address the issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother typical issue for the sector is where trams share the highway with other\u00a0road users. In these cases, areas of responsibility are usually defined using a\u00a0Highways Interface Document between the owner\/operator and local highways\u00a0authority.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, if this is not implemented properly, responsibility for repairs to the road\u00a0surface between and outside of the rails could become \u2018grey\u2019, leading to poorly\u00a0maintained and potentially unsafe highway.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn both the construction and operation of tramways and similar transit system, there\u00a0are many different interfaces, and assets may not have been identified, or have an\u00a0unknown owner due to undocumented change until it requires attention. This can\u00a0result in unexpected delays, rework and costs in later years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe meeting was useful in that it indicated that identification, documentation and continuous update of asset ownership and condition is essential during all parts of a\u00a0project and once operational a system is operational.\u201d<\/p>\n
The day in Birmingham also had presentations from SBS Transit (Singapore) and Midland Metro Alliance, and there was also a tour of the Birmingham Eastside works. 34 engineers and a couple of apprentices attending the session both in person and online.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UK Tram\u2019s Light Rail Engineering Group recently met in Birmingham for their first meeting of 2025 alongside a best practice day where they discussed the challenge posed by \u201cgrey assets\u201d. These are assets may not be subject to clear ownership … Continue reading