Translink, Northern Ireland’s public transport operator, was planning an important journey of its own.  It aimed to leave behind fragmented data systems and, instead, move forwards with a new digital data strategy, to help improve customer services and reduce operational costs. The approach followed the organisation’s ‘Better Connected’ strategy and aimed to help fulfil core corporate objectives, especially Continuous Improvement and Climate Action.

An internal staff survey in 2020 revealed that 60% of staff needed access to geographic information system (GIS) capabilities to do their jobs.  It was, therefore, clear from the outset that GIS would play a key role in Translink’s digital transformation.  “We wanted to introduce an entirely new corporate approach to data and asset management and knew that GIS would be an integral part of this,” says Patrick McGarry, Digital Systems Programme Manager at Translink.

Better informed safety decisions 
Translink is using the analytical capabilities of ArcGIS to help it make well-informed decisions, especially with regards to safety issues.  For instance, it has undertaken geospatial analysis of around 300 km of fencing alongside railway lines, to identify the locations where the risks to safety are highest and where more frequent fencing inspections should be prioritised.  “With ArcGIS, a vast amount of data becomes immediately understandable,” Donaghy notes.

Significant annual cost savings
Major resource and cost efficiencies are accruing from productivity improvements right across the business.  Whether employees and contractors are maintaining existing assets or planning new transportation services, they can access better quality information and perform tasks more quickly and more confidently. Having access to tools that enable desktop data analysis and measurements have necessitated less need for onsite visits and travel commitments.

More efficient field working
In the field, in particular, employees and contractors can view, edit and collect asset data far more efficiently.  The tree management team uses an ArcGIS Field Maps app, which has improved programme efficiency by 15%, reduced site visits by up to 30%, sped up decision making by 15-25% and led to an overall decrease in the cost per tree of 20%.  As McGarry observes, “ArcGIS has become an essential part of the bigger picture of improving asset management and introducing more efficient and effective ways of doing things.” 

Evidence for investment planning
As more and more corporate data is being amassed and analysed in ArcGIS, Translink is gaining clearer evidence to inform its long-term capital investment planning.  ArcGIS highlights everything from where new bus routes are needed to what the predicted asset maintenance costs are for each section of the railway.  ArcGIS is also revealing new information on climate change risks, like flooding, so Translink can take action to make its transport infrastructure and services more resilient.  

Improved communication and collaboration
Translink is witnessing clearer communication and stronger collaboration between team members, between different departments and between staff and external organisations.  Furthermore, senior leaders within Translink have instant access to accurate information in ArcGIS, which helps them to communicate with stakeholders at a high level.  As Donaghy summarises, “GIS facilitates more effective collaboration both internally and externally.”