The Rail Business Awards celebrate achievements in the UK rail industry, across technical projects, safety, marketing and customer service.

The Technical Innovation of the Year Award looks at the development of innovative technology, products, systems or services within the UK rail sector, including the development and application of digital technologies.

VolkerFitzpatrick has been shortlisted for its work on Feltham depot. As part of the project, the team looked to enhance its offerings through the use of different technologies, all aimed at driving improvements and reducing risk. This includes: 

• A community engagement app
• Hyrde Smart Camera system, to automate the data capturing for record keeping
• Drone surveying and Pix4D modelling
• LOLER equipment registering
• Hydrogen fuel cell / solar cell technology to power CCTV cameras where mains voltage is not possible
• A smart filtration technology to allow water to be discharged without contamination
• A smart water Dustbuster solution to control and reduce fugitive dust during hot weather periods on site 

Commenting, Phil Wood, project manager, said: "We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this award. The team has not just demonstrated a 'can do' attitude, but has also embraced new ways of implementing technology, with the aim of making us more efficient and streamlining our operations. Credit goes to the whole team, along with our in-house digital team, which has been hugely supportive throughout the project." 

The awards ceremony will take place in February 2021.