Informa Australia is part of the Informa Connect Division of Informa PLC
This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 3099067.
The Metro Rail Network in Melbourne is upgrading its asset management practices, to help meet growing demand for its services.
Integrating a portfolio of new technologies, the organisation is hoping to raise its performance across various operational and sustainability metrics.
“We have transformed our business operations, streamlined our processes, and allowed for information to be transferred quicker and more reliably.
“In all, this leads to a more sustainable business model,” said Paul O’Halloran, Executive Director of Network Assets and Assurance.
What new technology does it have?
One of Metro’s largest investments has been a custom-built EV120 track and maintenance vehicle, called “Evie”, who travels the network, analysing tracks and overheads.
“Evie provides valuable, real-time data to make sure any faults or potential issues are identified quickly,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“She enhances our understanding of track geometry and rail profile, reducing the need for physical ‘track walks’ by team members.”
Metro has also introduced Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology sensors at stations, to gauge passenger density.
“This captures crowd sizes on platforms and provides real time feedback to our station staff. It also alerts them to trespassers accessing the rail corridor via the station platform.”
The use of digital twins – which allow for infrastructure to be simulated and tested before being developed or deployed – is also driving efficiencies across the business.
“This supports engineers, designers, asset managers, inspectors, and other specialists to work more efficiently and effectively,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Alongside tangible innovations, the organisation is focussed on lifecycle assessments and energy efficiency, to drive further sustainability improvements.
“We are leveraging data wherever possible to help us get more life and utility out of our assets. Geospacial data has been particularly beneficial for us, and really brings our rail network to life,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Looking ahead
While Metro’s recent upgrades have been significant, Mr O’Halloran says they are not an opportunity to be complacent.
He believes the asset management landscape will continue to see rapid change in the face of technological advancement, AI industry scaling, and growing integration with smart city ecosystems.
“In essence, we’ll see deeper integration with the broader urban fabric – potentially fully integrated smart cities in years to come. We’ll also see a greater focus on decarbonisation, user experience, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.
“These trends will enhance the efficiency and resilience of rail systems and contribute to a more sustainable and user-centric transportation ecosystem.”
For Metro, preparation is about embracing new technologies, adapting to changing regulations, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
“We will continue to invest in digital transformation and infrastructure upgrades, and implement data-driven strategies to lift the resilience of assets,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Challenges ahead
Whilst there are significant opportunities, the evolving asset management landscape introduces a range of challenges.
The Metro rail network is partly built on decades-old infrastructure and operational systems. Integrating modern technologies with legacy systems can be technically complex, time-consuming, and costly.
It may also lead to temporary service disruptions and operational inefficiencies during the transition phase.
“The challenge for Metro is to continue to have a deliberate and well-managed approach to overcome the barriers.
“Our success depends on strategic planning, cross-sector collaboration, and a long-term commitment to sustainable change,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Further insight
Sharing more on Metro’s approach and its plans for the future, Paul O’Halloran will present at the upcoming Urban Rail Conference, hosted by Informa Connect.
This year’s event will be held on 25-26 June at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne.
Joining Paul on stage are high profile speakers such as Michael Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer, National Transport Commission; Josh Bull MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport & Infrastructure; and Dr Deborah Hume, Deputy Director-General | Translink Division, Department of Transport and Main Roads-QLD.
With a focus on smart solutions and multimodal connections, the event will highlight the vital role rail is playing in modernising urban mobility highlighting advancements in rail technology and sustainability and the continuous developments and strides being made to improve accessibility underscoring the industry’s commitment to enhancing the customer experience across urban rail networks.
Learn more and register your tickets here.
About Paul O’Halloran
Paul O’Halloran is Executive Director Network Assets & Assurance at Metro Trains Melbourne, where he leads a team of more than 2,000 people. The NA&A portfolio includes Infrastructure, Engineering, Rolling Stock, Technology, Strategic Asset Management and Planning and Integration.
With Paul’s leadership, his team manage change to the network – ensuring that the asset outcome is safe, reliable and sustainable, both today and into the future. Paul is also responsible for the continuous innovation and improvement guiding Victoria’s Big Build program, ensuring its effective and on-time delivery.
Informa Connect Australia is the nation's leading event organiser. Our events comprise of large scale exhibitions, industry conferences and highly specialised corporate training.
