ADAS is currently undertaking the largest tree survey in Britain, having been appointed to the job by Network Rail.
Under a two year contract worth £2.4 million, ADAS will be working together with partners Bath based GREENMAN Environmental to survey the entire Network Rail network. This includes some 20,000 miles of line side vegetation in all, and will seek to identify trees and vegetation posing a potential risk of disruption to rail services, and therefore in need of management.
The ADAS and GREENMAN Environmental team, consisting of 18 fully qualified tree surveyors, will compile detailed tree risk survey data for every eighth of a mile of track, while simultaneously assessing all major trees located on land owned and managed by Network Rail.
In order to prioritise this work, ADAS has delivered a preliminary study for Network Rail to compile a baseline survey. This was achieved by ADAS vegetation experts riding in the front of trains across the network, categorising line side vegetation and assessing any immediate risk. This information, used alongside that from Network Rail, will enable the survey teams to prioritise dangerous and highly wooded sections as they work their way around the country.
A new ADAS built bespoke electronic software data collection and management system will be used by the survey team, providing them with the latest hand-held computer and GPS technology. Collated survey data will then be downloaded on a daily basis to a web based database. This will be used to provide Network Rail managers with instant and up-to-date data on the location and survey status of trees and vegetation as the project progresses.
“We are delighted to have been awarded this contract,” says Martin Buckland, Director of Sales and Marketing at ADAS. “It allows us to combine a whole range of skills and expertise - from tree and vegetation surveying to software programming, and the latest computer technology to create a ground breaking package for Network Rail. The outputs provide a database which they are already using to action necessary work, even though the project only started in February. The final result will provide them with a store of data that will enable timely, efficient and cost effective tree and vegetation management for many years to come.”
To find out more about this project, or to discuss any aspect of tree or vegetation surveying please contact Martin Buckland e-mail martin.buckland@adas.co.uk, or telephone 01902 693188.