Currently the track side infrastructure such as platform, viaduct, tunnel etc. are scanned using laser measurement systems for Network Rail and categorized into structure types manually before storing in a National Gauging Database (NGD). The NGD stores information about the railway infrastructure and is used to calculate clearances between trains and infrastructure. Currently processing of survey data is a major bottle neck in structure gauging, with it taking years rather than months before data collected reaches the database in a useable format for gauging calculations. As a result much of the data is out of data in needs further human input to manage clearances and determine actions required to manage clearances for new train introductions. In some cases, this includes manual resurveying of platforms and other structures to obtain current information. This Atkins research and development project aims to improve data processing and availability by applying machine learning techniques using our expertise in developing Artificial Intelligence (Specifically Convolutional Neural Networks) processes to automatically classify the scanned data, as well as identifying any vegetation. The infrastructure data will be considered in a 3D Corridor Projection Space instead of 2D sections to provide better performance. This method will provide more greater confidence in the data leading to more accurate understanding of the clearances between structure and track. This will be achieved by the efficiency increases to process the data once the method is fully developed. This will lead to an NGD with more up to date, consistent and accurate survey data. A result there will be a reduction of survey data processing time with overall reduced costs and timescales for the introduction of new trains or cascading trains to new lines. SNC-Lavalin’s acquisition of the Atkins group of companies created a global fully integrated professional services and project management company. Together, we have over 50,000 employees. Through integrating our workforce we deliver a compelling offer to our clients in the Railway and Transportation sector. This project will combine the skills of SNC-Lavalin’s Gauging and Infrastructure teams and Atkins Software and Data Science teams, bringing together a technical team with all the key area.

Quantum sensing, imaging and timing will deliver transformative advancements across multiple sectors, including healthcare, infrastructure, transportation, environmental sustainability and security. These technologies make seeing the invisible possible: the inside workings of our brains, the infrastructure buried beneath our feet, the polluting gases in the air around us, the cancers lurking in our tissue or the drones in our crowded skies. These are some of the challenges we are poised to address. Our Hub in Quantum Sensing Imaging and Timing (QuSIT) brings together academic experts and industry partners, collaborating to translate cutting-edge research into tangible innovations. QuSIT will capitalise on a decade of substantial governmental and industrial investments, consolidating expertise and world-class capability from two established UK Hubs: QuantIC, specialising in quantum-enhanced imaging and the UK Sensing and Timing Hub. QuSIT will be a unified centre of excellence, providing thought leadership within the UK's quantum technology landscape, crucial to the National Quantum Strategy. At the heart of QuSIT is a world-leading and diverse team of 45 investigators, comprising both emerging talents and seasoned experts. Their impressive academic track record is complemented by a shared commitment to translating innovation from the laboratory to address real-world challenges. Our researchers have a history of licensing technology to industry and launching their own ventures. The technologies we will exploit are based on both atomic states and entangled photons to create quantum devices that sense and image otherwise invisible optical wavelengths, radio-frequencies, magnetic and gravitational fields, and exploit precision time, including: Optical wavelength translation using non-linear interferometry and non-linear optics Atom interferometry for gravity and gravity gradient sensing Waveguide optics for wavelength conversion Optically pumped magnetometers for zero and high absolute fields Metasurfaces for lightweight and compact optics Wavefront shaping for seeing through obscuration Data fusion of quantum and classical sensor data, using AI and Bayesian Inference Quantum enabled frequency sources to enhance radar systems Our approach revolves around co-creating research with end-users, fostering collaborations between academics and industry players throughout the supply chain, and rigorously testing and refining our innovations through field trials in partnership with our collaborating companies, pursuing new approaches to: Line-of-sight imaging of polluting, or toxic gases and chemicals Monitoring of brain health Screening for concealed and dangerous objects Imaging of underground infrastructure Mid-infrared, holographic microscopes for clinical diagnosis Application of precise timing for the monitoring of congested airspace The hub is supported by companies and other end-users many of which have made significant investments. These include BT, BAE Systems, Department for Transport, Great Ormond Street Hospital, National Grid, National Physical Laboratory, Ordnance Survey and Severn Trent Water. In the increasingly competitive international landscape, QuSIT will provide the vision and have the convening power required to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of quantum technology internationally, delivering accelerated economic growth and societal benefits through collaboration between academia and industry.