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Every possession window is precious. For rail teams working under tight time constraints, the minutes spent placing and recovering physical Worksite Marker Boards add up, and the risks that come with that manual process are real. Workers accessing the infrastructure close to open lines, boards placed incorrectly, boards left behind after works are complete. It’s a long-standing challenge, and one that Onwave’s Virtual Worksite Marker Board geofencing technology is helping to solve.
Working in collaboration with Network Rail, Onwave has been central to the development and deployment of the Virtual Worksite Marker Board (VWSMB) programme, and the results have been significant.
What is a Virtual Worksite Marker Board?
A VWSMB replaces the traditional physical board with a digital geofenced boundary. Worksite limits are defined on an online dashboard and communicated directly to vehicle operators in real time. No boards to place, no boards to recover, and no workers having to access the infrastructure to do it.
As on-track plant or machinery approaches a worksite boundary, the driver or Machine Controller receives an immediate audible and visual alert through an in-cab device. The worksite is defined. The operator is informed. The process is faster, safer, and more reliable.
- No physical boards.
- No manual placement or recovery.
- No unnecessary exposure to trackside risk.
The Technology Behind It
At the heart of the VWSMB programme is Onwave’s OWL geofencing technology. Our in-cab devices are Network Rail Product Approved and have been mounted on on-track plant throughout the programme’s development and trials, providing the accurate, real-time positioning data that makes Virtual WSMBs possible.
We started with early validation trials at Spa Valley Railway, a controlled environment away from the Mainline that allowed the technology to be properly assessed before moving into live rail environments. With on-site support and technical expertise from Spa Valley Railway, and Bridgeway Consulting, those trials gave us the foundation to progress with confidence. Since then, the programme has moved into wider deployment across the network.
See It in Action
See how it works in the field below:
The Results
The proof is in the numbers. Trials underpinned by Onwave’s Network Rail Product Approved geofencing devices have delivered measurable, real-world benefits:
- 50 minutes saved per shift by removing manual marker board placement and recovery
- 17% increase in available productive working time within the possession window
- Overrun time reduced from a potential 68 minutes to just 18 minutes
- Estimated £130,000+ in cost savings achieved in a single shift
For rail teams already working in tight windows, those numbers matter. Safer worksites, more productive possessions, and less pressure on the people doing the work.
Ready for National Use
Following successful trials, VWSMBs have received a national deviation to the Rail Industry Rule Book, granted by RSSB’s Traffic Operation and Management Standards Committee. This means the technology, with Onwave’s geofencing devices at its core, is now approved for deployment across on-track-plant-only worksites throughout Great Britain.
A significant step forward for digital worksite management, and for the safety of the frontline teams who make the railway work.
Approved for National Use
The programme continues to develop, with further testing underway to extend the VWSMB approach to On-Track Machinery and Engineering Haulage worksites. The potential for wider adoption across the network is significant, and Onwave remains central to the technical delivery of that work.
If you’re interested in understanding how VWSMBs could work for your organisation, or want to explore what Onwave’s OWL platform can do for rail safety and efficiency, get in touch with the team.
