Real-time sensors that can detect leaves and the leaf mulch that slows trains could signal the end of the dreaded railway announcement of “leaves on the line”.

The DCA Collaboration category recognises the best use of digitalisation/digital methodologies and/or technologies to enhance collaboration between two or more organisations on a project, at any level of the supply chain.

Atkins, Cardiff University and Network Rail have developed a digital twin of Reading station in a bid to cut emissions and improve its energy performance.

A Network Rail team has flown a drone Beyond Visual Line of Sight for 25km over dry land – believed to be the furthest such civilian drone flight in Britain.

Network Rail has been working with Atkins’ digital team to keep vegetation off the rails, reducing the need for the workforce to undertake on-foot inspections in the hazardous live railway environment. Denise Chevin reports.