SURVEYS

Surveying within the railway infrastructure demands the highest level of skill, efficiency and safety.

PBH has a successful history of delivering a large number of complex surveys in order to facilitate multi-disciplinary projects.

PBH’s team is very experienced in the latest technology and possesses a deep understanding of the infrastructure.

All PBH surveyors are fully compliant with the latest Network Rail standards. Our in house Quality Assurance team always deliver in accordance with current Network Rail standards.

Our surveyors have surveyed plain line sites across the UK supplying data to many of the principal contractors.

Each PBH surveyor has extensive componentry knowledge which, coupled with modern surveying techniques, ensures a final deliverable that meets and often exceeds the current Network Rail standards.

• Modern surveying techniques
• Meet current standards
• Component knowledge

Complex S&C surveys require the highest degree of knowledge and understanding of the permanent way infrastructure.

The PBH team is highly skilled and trained in carrying out S&C surveys, with many years’ experience of working closely with our in-house design teams to undertake these projects.
Our survey teams work efficiently with single-operator robotic instrumentation and mass data capture systems to ensure that all precious time on site is utilised efficiently.

• Highly skilled Team
• Many years of Experience
• Time is utilised efficiently

PBH Surveys’ provide structure gauge clearance surveys in compliance with Network Rail Standard NR/L2/TRK/3203. To ensure the safe passage of trains surveys are carried out as part of the suite of gauging standards which manage risk relating to gauging compatibility, structural clearances, passing clearances and calculation of stepping clearances on the infrastructure.

All gauging surveys are carried out with the latest compliant equipment; utilising track mounted Abtus Routescans, Balfour Beatty Lasersweep, Robel Platform Gauges. Gauging surveys include rail geometry collected from both TMDs and conventional topographical methods.

The Permanent Way Design team within PBH Rail offer full clearance analysis through ClearRoute; providing Network Rail National Gauging Database reports.

Depot surveys, although part of the railway infrastructure often pose a different set of challenges. Some examples of this would be:

• Typically, depots are open when the railway network is closed.
• Generally, tracks are in a poor condition as maintenance is reduced due to the low speeds permitted.
• Often depots have a collection of varying materials and S&C ages which requires a wealth of experience when trying to identify.

Some depots have stabled stock that cannot be moved – PBH are well versed in selecting appropriate survey techniques to minimise the problems this may cause for a complete survey deliverable.

Depots also require staff to communicate with depot anagers to agree local safeworking arrangements on closed/open lines within the depot. This requires a clear understanding of depot layouts to work in close proximity to stabled trains and ensure minimal gaps are left in survey data.

Similar to surveying within the railway corridor, the highway infrastructure calls for a comprehensive understanding of efficient, accurate and safe working practices.

PBH has in house Laser scanning capabilities to allow data capture of the highway from a position of safety with no need to enter the carriageway. PBH also has an expert supply chain that carry out mobile mapping services for larger projects to help reduce the requirement of traffic management, thus improving safety for all workers.

PBH has extensive experience in varying complexities of highway services.

Should there be a need for surveys to be carried out within the carriageway environment then PBH work with trusted traffic management suppliers to ensure the safety of our operatives when carrying out surveys on the highway infrastructure.

When surveying some of the largest and most complex structures on the network, PBH harness the benefits of laser scanning to ensure a more robust deliverable. Some of the benefits of laser scanning include:

• Entire & accurate dimensions.
• A repeatable 3D environment allowing for easy navigation.
• Geo-referenced information which can be linked to design projects.
• Provision of an accurate basis to build infrastructure models.
• Safe non-contact data capture even in difficult or dangerous places to access.
• A ‘Capture-All/Capture-Once’ methodology to reduce the need for site revisits.
• An insurance policy against future scope creep – the data is there even if not required at the project outset.

PBH Surveys can deliver outputs directly tailored to client requirements:

• ‘Traditional’ Linework/linestyles 2D Drawings – dgn/.dwg
• ‘Traditional’ 3D Wireframe Drawings –.dgn/.dwg
• ‘Simple Hybrid’ 3D Wireframes/Solid Models – combining traditional track surveys with 3D Solid models of complicated structures – dgn/.dwg/.rvt/.msh
• ‘Complex Hybrid’ 3D Wireframes/Solid Models – Full solid models of all infrastructure supplemented with traditional topographic surveys – dgn/.dwg/.rvt/.msh
• Total 3D Solid Models – No traditional Linework. – dgn/.dwg/.rvt/.msh

PBH Surveys can deliver outputs directly tailored to client requirements:

• Outline Detail – Building Shapes/groundforms – representative components.
• Medium Detail – Building Shapes/Features – basic componentry accurately depicted.
• High Detail – WYSIWYM “What You See Is What You Model” Accurate depictions of all features required in specification.
• Rendered High Detail – Photorealistic Models used for heritage grade/planning applications etc.

Point cloud data is notoriously large, with modern laser scanners capable of capturing in excess of 25GB in one shift. As a result, PBH are proficient at producing useable and manageable data from point cloud surveys.

3D solid models enable global visibility, facilitating the sharing and manipulation of data, whilst providing a perfect environment to operate projects under the principles of Building Information Modelling (BIM).

PBH Planning stands as a cornerstone in ensuring compliance with NR/L2/OHS/019 (Safety of people working on or near the line) and NR/L2/OPS/202 (Principles and Timescales of Planning), two critical standards governing safety and operational planning within the railway industry. With a deep understanding of the intricacies involved, we offer tailored solutions to support organisations in meeting the rigorous requirements set forth by these standards.

First and foremost, PBH Planning prioritises the safety of individuals working on or near the railway line, in alignment with NR/L2/OHS/019. Through comprehensive risk assessments, hazard identification, and safety management development, helping clients create a workplace environment where safety is paramount. Our team works closely with clients to implement robust safety protocols, provide relevant competent staff, and ensure emergency preparedness and response plans are in place. By fostering a culture of safety and vigilance, our planning department empowers organisations to protect their work and mitigate risks associated with railway operations.

Moreover, PBH Planning excels in supporting the principles and timescales of planning outlined in NR/L2/OPS/202. From strategic planning around operational scheduling, leveraging industry expertise to optimise resource allocation, minimise downtime, and enhance overall efficiency. By developing operational procedures, processes, and programme monitoring, enabling organisations to align their planning efforts with regulatory standards while maximising productivity. Whilst we are primarily a support function for our internal programmes, we can offer a bespoke service to all, ensuring a safety conscious and exceptionally skilled support function for all your projects requiring track access to the Network Rail managed infrastructure. With a focus on flexibility and adaptability, PBH Planning helps clients navigate complex planning challenges and achieve their operational objectives within the specified timescales set forth by commonly, very tight timescales for delivery whilst maintaining an excellent standard in safety.

PBH Surveys, in conjunction with trusted subcontractors, offer PAS128 compliant Utilities Surveys to allow designers to know what is potentially beneath them when preparing and working on a site. This can help mitigate potential issues when breaking ground or positioning large plant and machinery during construction works, which may cause damage to services passing through the site.

Before ground works are carried out contractors should be aware of what is beneath the surface, ensuring there are no hidden surprises when you break ground. Utilities Surveys can mitigate unforeseen costs and risks, using the latest detection techniques including Electromagnetic Detection, signal induced threading and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to locate utilities. Utilities surveys can reduce the hazards associated with ground works, save time and money and allow contractors to meet their legal requirement. Drainage tracing and CCTV surveys provide a powerful tool for the validation of data collection and underground asset assessment without the need for confined space trained engineers to enter potentially hazardous areas.

At PBH, we provide a range of monitoring services which can be tailored to suit the requirements of our client. Utilising a range of techniques, we are currently involved in monitoring track, structures & embankments on the railway infrastructure throughout the UK. The techniques deployed on these projects range from traditional track monitoring using retro reflective targets & total stations, to automatic wireless mesh networks which can deliver movement information in real time via an online web portal.

Our tender stage consultation services aid our clients to consider monitoring provisions and solutions at the procurement and bid stages.

The PBH Monitoring team have close working relationships with several leading global suppliers of monitoring equipment to provide monitoring solutions through all stages of construction and maintenance.

Complicated installations within time constrained possessions are becoming ever more present on the railway infrastructure. PBH are well-positioned to provide all aspects of technical and engineering support to ensure that track and structures are put in the right place, safely, the first time, and every time.

Using the latest advances in track mounted survey technology our surveyors and engineers can give immediate feedback on installation versus design position accuracies. Files can be generated real-time and fed to on-track plant to minimise downtime of expensive engineering resource. Using a wealth of both survey and rail experience our engineers can adapt in a time-sensitive and pressured environment to allow our clients to maintain programme.

All on-site technical support is backed up by on-call equipment suppliers and in-house experts

UAV surveys collect data using small remotely piloted aircraft systems, otherwise known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). PBH UAV operational platforms can be legally flown in wind speeds up to 20mph, and at heights up to 400ft.

UAVs will be operated within line of sight of the pilot, or within 500m, whichever is the lesser of the two. PBH Surveys operate UAVs under a Permission for Commercial Operation (PfCO) with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), with permission to operate multi-rotors (<20kg).

The platforms currently utilised to carry out work is either –

A) A multi rotor UAV with a payload operating a 100mp camera, or
B) A multi roto UAV with a 20mp camera/HD .mp4 video recorded

UAV Surveys are a fantastic way to record orthomosaics and detailed 3D models of areas where poor quality, outdated or limited data is available.