RCS - Cordel Group PLC - Angel Trains Contract Update

CordelAnnouncement

31/10/2022 07:00

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RNS Number : 5722E  Cordel Group PLC  31 October 2022

REACH

31 October 2022

 

Cordel Group PLC

("Cordel" or the "Company" or the "Group")

 

Angel Trains Contract Update

Cordel Group PLC (AIM: CRDL), the Artificial Intelligence platform for
transport corridor analytics, has today issued the following press release in
relation to the first deployment of its technology following its recent
agreement with Angel Trains.

Modernising Britain's Railways: Passenger train-borne AI infrastructure
monitoring rolls into service

 

Britain's railway infrastructure has the potential to be transformed, as
Cordel's new AI monitoring technology is deployed on passenger services for
the first time.

The first passenger train equipped with Cordel's LiDAR and image capture
technology rolled out of Reading depot onto the Reading to Basingstoke Line at
0528 on Friday, 28 October 2022, allowing real-time track monitoring and more
efficient management of Britain's mainline railways.

The technology has been installed on one of Great Western Railway's Class 165
fleet, leased by Angel Trains. It will provide Network Rail with AI-powered
inspection automation on a high-frequency basis, delivering a 'Digital Twin'
of survey-grade LiDAR with co-located high-resolution video, aligned to the
network's linear reference system.

Once the data is captured, it will be transformed into insights for Network
Rail using Cordel's machine-learning solutions.  Cordel will provide
up-to-date analysis of track clearance (especially at bridges, tunnels, and
platforms), vegetation management, ballast profiling, overhead line equipment
height & stagger assessments, and many more applications.

Nick Smith, CEO, Cordel, said:

"Our relationship with Angel Trains and Network Rail is a major initiative for
Cordel. By capturing data in real-time from in-service passenger trains, we
can provide Network Rail with a far more detailed picture of the state of rail
infrastructure, moving from time-based maintenance to condition-based
maintenance. As well as being more efficient in terms of resources, we can
help Network Rail provide a more resilient railway by focusing maintenance on
key issues more promptly."

The deployment of Cordel's technology follows the announcement of a 5-year
contract with Angel Trains announced on 9 August 2022. This agreement covered
the installation of Cordel's fully automated hardware onto in-service
passenger trains, delivering AI-powered insights for Intelligent
Infrastructure.

John Murphy, GWR Head of Fleet Production, said:

"We're pleased to be able to support the introduction of this new real-time
track monitoring technology on board one of our Class 165 fleet.

"At GWR, we are committed to reviewing emerging technologies and we look
forward to working with our partners to assist in the rollout of this
software, which is designed to improve track maintenance and in turn help us
to deliver an even more robust timetable for the benefit of our customers."

Cordel's automated processing will deliver prompt monitoring of Network Rail
infrastructure and minimise the need to run special measurement trains,
meaning frontline staff can be deployed directly to the area where an issue
has been identified without having to physically 'walk' the track.

Martin Frobisher, Network Rail Director of Engineering and Safety, said:

"Running a safe and reliable railway at an affordable cost is at the core of
what we do, and this exciting innovation will help do precisely that."

Angel Trains is a leading UK rolling stock leasing company which owns more
than 4000 vehicles, equating to one-third of the UK's passenger train market.
This includes the Class 165 fleet, where trains will begin operating with
Cordel LiDAR and imagery.

Malcolm Brown, CEO of Angel Trains, said:

"At Angel Trains, we invest in new technologies that will enhance the UK's
railway systems. We are excited to work with Cordel, alongside Network Rail
and Great Western Railways, to enable more efficient management of our
railways, and improve passenger experience across the country."

The Class 165 12-month pilot deployment is the first project under a
Cordel-Angel Trains framework agreement and is supported by Network Rail as
part of the Mobile Infrastructure Monitoring Strategy. In what is believed to
be a UK-first, Cordel will deploy the latest generation of Cordel Wave sensors
in permanent installations on passenger trains. By installing sensors on
existing rolling stock paired with Cordel's advanced AI-powered software, the
pilot's success will enable the future roll-out of the automated inspection of
all Network Rail infrastructure.

This passenger train installation continues Cordel's relationship with Network
Rail in the UK. In Summer 2021, Cordel's processing technology was approved by
Network Rail for use in gauging clearance across the UK rail network; in
Autumn 2021, Cordel was awarded a 6.5-year contract to redesign and deliver
the UK's National Gauging Database (creating the 'Railway Gauging Data
Solution'); and in Spring 2022, Cordel's contract with Network Rail High Speed
(first awarded in August 2021) was extended in duration and scope.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

About Cordel

Cordel produces specialist hardware and software for capturing, analysing and
reporting on large datasets within the transport sector, employing
sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithms.

Further information on the Company is available at: https://cordel.ai/
(https://cordel.ai/)

Enquiries:

 Cordel Group PLC                                                                                     c/o SEC Newgate

 Ian Buddery, Chairman

 Nick Smith, CEO

 Arden Partners plc (Broker)                                                                          `+44 (0)20 7614 5900

 Ruari McGirr

 Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated Advisor)                                                            +44 (0)20 7409 3494

 Richard Johnson / James Bellman

 SEC Newgate (Financial Communications)                                                               +44 (0)7540 106366

 Robin Tozer / George Esmond                                                                          cordel@secnegwate.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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