More Trains, More Services project

More Trains, More Services (MTMS) is an initiative of Transport for NSW designed to transform the rail network and provide customers with more reliable, high capacity services. As part of this project, Laing O’Rourke is working with KBR to upgrade stations and stabling yards on the Illawarra line to accommodate new, 10-carriage trains.

Working across nine stations spread over more than 100 kilometres - from Kingsgrove to Kiama - the team found it hard to do the noise and dust monitoring required. They also needed to better understand the actual causes of events. Many of the worksites are alongside busy highways, so there was already a lot of traffic, dust and general noise. It wasn’t clear how often events were caused by the actual site works.

The MTMS team implemented SiteHive Hexanode devices to provide real-time noise, dust and weather information, and they also measure vibration using a device from Acu-Vib Electronics. They use SiteHive cloud software to view and manage all this information, which is presented in an easy to understand dashboard. The team can see a full picture of noise, dust, weather and vibration, all in one place.

Images and audio pinpoint exactly what's happening on site

SiteHive allows the team to see what’s happening 24/7, without being onsite. As well as the core noise and dust data, SiteHive provides images and audio from exceedance events, alongside the corresponding weather information.

Having all this information at hand allows the MTMS team to pinpoint the exact cause of environmental events. SiteHive shows which events are the result of the works, and which come from traffic and other local noise.

SiteHive has freed up time for the team as they can now monitor and manage environmental factors without being onsite. The SiteHive Hexanodes operate automatically, so they are left in place to cover the site, and the team can access all the data through SiteHive software from anywhere. It's allowed the team to cover a large site very effectively.

A complete site data record helps the team keep everyone informed

The MTMS team is now getting a lot more data and information than previously. With SiteHive Hexanodes monitoring continuously, the environmental team has access to information 24/7. As well as providing the information they need to work effectively, this has been great for using with stakeholders.

For example, through SiteHive the team is able to share the data easily with their client. Having access to live data gives everyone more certainty, and Tahli says the client is very happy with this.

Using SiteHive also allows the team to be prepared for enquiries from regulators like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Tahli says, “If the EPA wants information we have it all to hand. SiteHive future-proofs us as all the information is being collected and is accessible.”

It’s also been excellent for dealing with community relationships and complaints. The MTMS team has been able to track down issues and respond to the community on specific complaints. It’s been so good in fact, that Tahli says that SiteHive paid for itself in just one weekend.