Rail Flood Defender

Rail Flood Defender will deliver a more reliable railway network that is safer for all stakeholders, and empower Network Rail (NR) and the UK to become global leaders in intelligent holistic rail drainage management. It will future-proof rail transport against the effects of climate change where more intense and regular rainstorm events are expected.

The project will explore principles of autonomous active flow control to reduce manual operations associated with protecting rail infrastructure from the effects of flooding. It achieves this by taking the latest advances in edge computing and applying it to real-time automation of mechanical and electrical equipment to control the flows in rail drainage systems, thus protecting the track drainage from being overloaded and flooded during rainstorm events.

The importance of managing rail drainage infrastructure cannot be overstated. It is designed to carry stormwater safely water away from the track via a system of pipes and channels. When drainage infrastructure is compromised or inadequate, flooding can occur.

Flooding causes delays to passengers and costs to asset owners, but crucially can also affect other assets such as structures and signalling, which endangers human life (e.g. Watford Tunnel Derailment [https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/derailment-and-subsequent-collision-at-watford][0]). This project aims to collaboratively investigate the application of AI-powered automated real-time control (RTC) for protecting the railway system and mitigating any impact on adjacent land.

The feasibility project will identify how the following benefits and sustainability opportunities can be delivered: * Reduce risk of rail services being disrupted during rainstorm events * Make the drainage design process more efficient * Avoid capitally and spatially expensive flood solutions (e.g. stormwater retention tanks)

* Provide a means for automated flushing to clear blockages (reduce manual intervention) * Reduce surcharging on adjacent rural or urban areas * Explore additional opportunities such as rainwater harvesting for agriculture [0]: https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/derailment-and-subsequent-collision-at-watford