Summary
We helped Network Rail make massive savings by consolidating 25 vehicle specifications into three and introducing bespoke driver training with efficient online fleet management.

About Network Rail
Network Rail is responsible for the operation of Britain's rail infrastructure. It owns and maintains 21,000 miles of track across the country and spends around £14million each day maintaining and improving every aspect of the railway infrastructure, including tracks, signalling systems, tunnels, viaducts, bridges and stations.

Historically, 8 external contractors undertook infrastructure maintenance, however, in 2003 this work was moved in house and Network Rail inherited a mixed fleet of 100 Heavy Goods Vehicles. Because each of the external contractors had been responsible for the design and specification of their vehicles - although many of them did the same job, the specification of the vehicles and the specialist equipment was very different. In 2003 Network Rail had 25 different vehicle specifications.

The Business Challenge
Network Rail's mission is to deliver a reliable and safe rail network, and Chuck Ives, Head of Fleet at Network Rail is very clear about the objectives from their fleet:

 "In any commercial vehicle environment, safety is a number one priority, but for Britain's rail network this priority stands, unquestionably, head and shoulders above everything else. In that context, our focus is fleet efficiency - vehicle specification, utilisation and cost":

" Improving Vehicle Utilisation - "We wanted to rationalise the number of vehicle types, without compromising safety or efficiency," said Chuck.

" Reducing Vehicle Downtime - Being able to use vehicles across the whole rail network, rather than having specific vehicles for specific jobs in single locations allows Network Rail to reduce operating costs and minimise vehicle downtime.

" Improve Vehicle efficiency - Ensuring staff are trained to use vehicles and equipment correctly is a key to improving on site efficiency. 

"Getting the vehicle specification right is a big challenge. Our starting point was to assess the different jobs they were required to do." Said Richard Dyke, Key Accounts Manager at Hitachi Capital. "This also meant understanding variety of different locations where the vehicles would operate, the operating terrain and environment and railway access points. These are not standard vehicles and understanding the operational requirements underpins our ability to deliver."

How we helped  
" Applied our expertise to get the specification of the vehicle right:
"By understanding what Network Rail needed in order to deliver its level of service commitment, we have made lots of changes and improvements to the specification" said Richard. "The drivers depend on their vehicles to deliver and simple enhancements like in-cab display panels that give information on lifting capacity give them that confidence."

"These vehicles are workhorses; they work in arduous conditions where safety is paramount. By introducing remote control units, the cranes can be manipulated safely from a distance, which has also impacted on Health and Safety performance too." 
" Rationalised the number of vehicles from 25 to 3:
Understanding the variety of roles the vehicles have to perform allowed us to consolidate them into groups and design vehicles capable of performing a number of similar roles anywhere in the country. In certain instances this has meant supplying vehicles that can lift more than the operator needs to lift on one job, but which can be used in a variety of contexts.
" Worked with suppliers to develop and improve equipment design:
Vehicles often have to negotiate low bridges to access the rail track  - bridges that are too low for a standard chassis and crane combination. By working with the chassis and crane manufacturers, we have lowered the chassis and developed an entirely new crane specification, without compromising the vehicle's ability to perform.
" Coordinated multiple suppliers within an efficient build programme:
Our experience of project managing suppliers to a very tight specification with strict service and quality standards allows us to ensure all of the health and safety issues are addressed.
" Developed bespoke accredited training for staff:
Ensuring the vehicle operator knows how to drive their vehicle and operate all equipment safely and correctly is essential.  We have introduced a comprehensive theory and practical training course for every new vehicle, which focuses on critical safety aspects. We organise all aspects of the 3 day course, which carries with it certification from ALLIMI.
" Reduced vehicle downtime:
" Training staff to use equipment correctly impacts on downtime for repairs caused by "operator error", and some of our design improvements like the swinging steel steps which move when coming into contact with obstacles, limit damage costs and downtime," said Richard.  "But synchronising servicing and inspection, taking a proactive approach to maintenance and identifying suppliers capable of supporting the vehicles at their operating location has had a real impact."
" Provided online fleet information 24/7:
Our unique online vehicle management system, Capital Control, gives Network Rail instant, password protected access to up to the minute fleet management information. From initial order status through to maintenance and service scheduling and history, Capital Control gives Network Rail instant updates on the status and whereabouts of their vehicles and comprehensive online reporting for the management of the fleet.

What Our Customer Says
Chuck Ives, Head of Fleet at Network Rail is particularly impressed with the level of training and driver/operator engagement provided by Hitachi Capital, a communication process which starts with the actual specification of the vehicle itself.
"The vehicles are designed following input from our drivers and operators which means that from the start we are getting a vehicle which is fit for purpose," he says. "The level of training also means we are addressing key priorities such as health and safety and our duty of care.
"It has also made the handover of vehicles far easier as drivers are instructed on the operation of all vehicles in the fleet so we can be confident they know how to use them safely, whichever depot or area they are working in.
"Our staff are also trained in how to use 'the tools of the job' - not just how to drive the vehicle - but how to use ancillary equipment such as cranes, tail-lifts etc.
"In essence, Hitachi Capital have helped us 'raise the bar' with all our staff by introducing an extremely high standard of driver training which leaves drivers with a positive experience and makes them more motivated to look after the vehicle and check it daily."

Our People Working With Your People
Driving Your Fleet Costs Down
" Getting the specification of vehicles exactly right
" Rationalising the number of vehicle types
Minimising Your Downtime
" Using local and specialist suppliers to so vehicles can be supported close to their operating location
" Synchronising service, inspection and maintenance events
Minimising Your Compliance risk
" Creating bespoke timetables for service, inspection and maintenance regimes for vehicles and cranes
Supporting Your Business
" Driving development of specialist equipment to achieve optimum operational efficiency
" Developing comprehensive operator training
" Providing on-line vehicle information, 24/7