How Network Rail is using drones to help tackle extreme weather delays
Network Rail are introducing the use of drones to help tackle delays caused by extreme weather in Yorkshire.
The technology has been used in the Doncaster area on flight exercises around the East Coast Main Lines in recent weeks.
It is hoped the drones will allow teams to respond quickly to issues caused by flooding, storms and other weather-related issues in the long term.
During periods of extreme weather, it can be difficult to access certain areas of the railway to assess any potential issues, but the drone technology will allow Network Rail to carry out initial inspections from above.
The technology has already been used in other parts of the country, but has been introduced to Yorkshire in recent weeks.
John Grainger, joint head of performance, Network Rail East Coast & LNER, said: “Severe weather can make parts of the railway difficult to reach at times when we most need accurate information to help our teams make the best decisions for our customers and colleagues.
“Drones have the potential to give a much quicker view of what is happening, whether that means checking for damage following high winds or monitoring water levels during flooding.
“Drone tests have shown that they can support and complement our expert engineers and more traditional inspection methods, providing an extra pair of eyes during challenging times.
“We want to deliver the best service that we can for our customers as they travel by train. Embracing technology like this helps us keep everyone safe and allows us to get trains moving as quickly as possible after disruption.”