Condition monitoring-a means to an end

Early condition monitoring systems for trains provided a relatively small range of information, were unreliable and of relatively limited value. Modern systems are becoming increasingly more complex but have a potentially greater capability to be of direct assistance to the operators and maintainers. The problem now is to ensure that the scope and design of the equipment is property matched to the end-user requirement. This paper reviews some of the experience gained in implementing such systems and attempts to propose a methodology for deriving the requirements for a train management and condition monitoring system. It makes reference to certain of the new forms of contracts being placed within the rail transport industry and show how the reliability/availability requirements and associated contractual penalties will become drivers in the design and use of such systems