Transcending from diagnostic to prognostic maintenance​

Railways remain one of the most viable means of transport for both humans and goods all over the world. As such, every component comprising the railway infrastructure is used to its limits. But maintenance is only performed either reactively, when the equipment runs into failure, or periodically, based on the expected life span of the equipment. Downtime is inevitable in such maintenance practices, and that has a direct impact on service quality, supply chain, and even the economy. ​

The existing methods of maintenance in the railway sector are resource-intensive, and therefore, frequently suffer due to an inadequate supply of spares. This is where the elements of maintenance plan support, lifecycle costing, and asset life management play important roles in seamless maintainability. Similarly, spare parts database management and extensive training can aid technical authoring and improved management of spare parts. Predictively mapping the requirement of resources with their availability and supply is crucial to shift from diagnostic to a prognostic style of maintenance. ​

An integrated approach – encompassing technical expertise, inventory readiness, and timely and accurate documentation – is the key to delivering non-disruptive maintenance across risk levels. Such an approach will not only streamline maintenance but will also consequently improve OEE and increase equipment longevity. The is crucial for maximizing operational capacity and productivity, thereby increasing the ever-depleting profit margins.​