SPL Powerlines is proud to announce a major step forward in digital rail safety and efficiency, delivered in partnership with Network Rail Scotland. As part of the Fife Decarbonisation Programme, we have become the first organisation in Scotland to deploy Tended’s Virtual Worksite Marker Boards (VWSMBs). A landmark moment for the wider UK rail industry.
This deployment marks not only the first use of VWSMB technology in Scotland but also the successful delivery of the very first VWSMB-enabled worksite within a T3A possession, meaning the shift operated without any physical boards being placed or recovered. This represents a transformative change in how worksites can be managed safely and efficiently.
This trial follows th national deviation approved by RSSB's Traffic Operation and Management Standards Committee, allowing VWSMBs to be used during on-track plant-only possessions across the network.
Key Outcomes from the First Deployment
The initial shift delivered a number of clear and measurable benefits:
✔ Significant Time Savings
- ~30 minutes saved by removing the need to place and recover physical WSMBs.
- An additional 30 minutes saved through the use of T3A, enabled via the Initiate system, removing the need for possession limit boards.
✔ Better Use of Critical Resources
- Two Engineering Supervisor Assistants (ESAs) were redeployed to other essential duties.
- 10 fewer phone calls, helping to free the Engineering Supervisor’s time and reduce complexity.
✔ Reduced Carbon Impact
- A 32-mile reduction in road travel for board placement and recovery - an important achievement for a programme centred around decarbonisation.
These efficiencies and safety improvements are expected to continue as we roll out Tended’s VWSMB solution across additional sites.
How VWSMB Technology Improves Worksite Safety and Efficiency
Traditional physical Worksite Marker Boards (WSMBs) can introduce several challenges:
- They require time-consuming manual placement and recovery.
- Incorrect placement or failure to remove boards can cause collisions, asset damage, and service delays.
- Workers must access the track to install boards - placing them at additional risk, especially in multi-line environments.
Tended’s Virtual Worksite Marker Boards offer a digital alternative that removes these risks.
How It Works
- Worksite limits are defined digitally using geofencing.
- A compact in-cab device mounted on the on-track plant uses geospatial data to identify its position in relation to the worksite.
- If the plant operator crosses a boundary, they receive an immediate alert, ensuring the worksite is clearly controlled without physical markers.
Key Benefits
- Instant worksite startup at the touch of a button.
- Reduced track access, improving worker safety.
- Elimination of misplaced boards, lowering the risk of disruption or delay.
- Increased productivity windows, helping teams deliver more within each shift.
What’s Next?
Following these successful early results, SPL Powerlines will continue to support the rollout of VWSMB technology across Scotland. This collaboration with Network Rail Scotland marks a major advancement in modernising worksite safety and efficiency and helps drive a significant industry shift toward fully digital worksites with Scotland at the forefront.
Craig Milne, Operations Director at Network Rail said: “We continually look for ways to innovate and work more efficiently without ever compromising safety. This technology helps us do exactly that, giving our teams more time on track to focus on the engineering work that matters.
"The results from this trial show the real value digital tools can bring to our operations and we look forward to expanding on this as we continue to deliver improvements to Scotland’s railway for our customers.”
“This deployment represents a step change in how we collectively manage safety and efficiency on the railway,” said Lee Pounder, Regional Managing Director at SPL Powerlines.“Working in close partnership with Network Rail and Tended, we have demonstrated how digital innovation can be introduced responsibly, without compromise to safety, while delivering tangible operational, commercial and sustainability benefits.
“Being the first principal contractor in Scotland to adopt Virtual Worksite Marker Boards is something we are extremely proud of, but more importantly it reflects a shared commitment across all parties to challenge traditional methods and continuously improve how we protect our people, our infrastructure and the wider network.”
Allan Black, Delivery Director Transport at SPL Powerlines said “As the first deployment of Virtual Worksite Marker Boards within a T3A possession in the UK, the trial marks a major national milestone in modernising possession management.
“Through this successful trial, SPL Powerlines has demonstrated how digital solutions can enhance site visibility, improve real‑time assurance, and support safer, more predictable engineering delivery. The company looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Network Rail to roll out innovative tools that strengthen safety and maximise productive time on track.”
Matthew Cummins, Head of Delivery at Tended said “The success of this first Virtual Worksite Marker Board deployment with SPL Powerlines and Network Rail marks an important moment for digital transformation in the rail industry. Seeing our geofencing technology deliver measurable benefits, from increasing available working time and improving efficiency to enhancing operational safety and sustainability, is incredibly rewarding. This project is setting a new standard for worksite management and I’m very excited to see this progress throughout the industry.”
Watch the video to learn more about how VWSMBs will shape the future of rail worksites.
