Maintenance analytics for railway infrastructure decision support

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 310-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Mayowa Famurewa ◽  
Liangwei Zhang ◽  
Matthias Asplund
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Anomaly Detection ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rail Wear ◽  
Railway Infrastructure ◽  
Maintenance Decision ◽  
Infrastructure Maintenance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for maintenance analytics that is useful for the assessment of rail condition and for maintenance decision support. The framework covers three essential maintenance aspects: diagnostic, prediction and prescription. The paper also presents principal component analysis (PCA) and local outlier factor methods for detecting anomalous rail wear occurrences using field measurement data. Design/methodology/approach The approach used in this paper includes a review of the concept of analytics and appropriate adaptation to railway infrastructure maintenance. The diagnostics aspect of the proposed framework is demonstrated with a case study using historical rail profile data collected between 2007 and 2016 for nine sharp curves on the heavy haul line in Sweden. Findings The framework presented for maintenance analytics is suitable for extracting useful information from condition data as required for effective rail maintenance decision support. The findings of the case study include: combination of the two statistics from PCA model (T2 and Q) can help to identify systematic and random variations in rail wear pattern that are beyond normal: the visualisation approach is a better tool for anomaly detection as it categorises wear observations into normal, suspicious and anomalous observations. Practical implications A practical implication of this paper is that the framework and the diagnostic tool can be considered as an integral part of e-maintenance solution. It can be easily adapted as online or on-board maintenance analytic tool with data from automated vehicle-based measurement system. Originality/value This research adapts the concept of analytics to railway infrastructure maintenance for enhanced decision making. It proposes a graphical method for combining and visualising different outlier statistics as a reliable anomaly detection tool.

Systematic risk-analysis to support a living maintenance programme for railway infrastructure

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-340
Author(s):  
Peter Söderholm ◽  
Terje Nilsen
Keyword(s):  
Single Case ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Railway Infrastructure ◽  
Mode Of Transport ◽  
Infrastructure Maintenance ◽  
Maintenance Programme

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe an application of an effective risk-based methodology to support a living maintenance programme for railway infrastructure. Design/methodology/approach The overall research strategy is a single case study of switches and crossings at the Iron Ore Line in northern Sweden. The analysis was performed as a risk workshop guided by a methodology that integrates reliability-centred maintenance and barrier analysis. Findings The applied methodology is valuable to systematise and improve the existing maintenance programme, as well as supporting a continued living maintenance programme. Research limitations/implications The single case study approach may decrease the validity of the achieved results. However, similar case studies corroborate the results, which affect the validity in a positive way. Practical implications The resulting maintenance programme is effective, through compliance with external requirements, and more efficient, through improvements of tasks and intervals. Social implications An enhanced railway infrastructure maintenance programme contributes to improved safety, punctuality, and costs. Hence, railway becomes a more attractive mode of transport. Thereby, it also supports a safety performance of the railway that society is willing to pay for. Originality/value Significant improvements of the maintenance programme are achieved through adjustment of inspection intervals and tasks. The results also support the development of indicators, monitoring, and continuous improvement.

Judicial corruption: the case of Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 926-939
Author(s):  
Vasudev Das
Keyword(s):  
Practical Implication ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Reasonable Doubt ◽  
Social Implication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Judicial Corruption ◽  
Causative Factors ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Low Self Control

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to diagnostically explore the phenomenon of judicial corruption in Nigeria, its causative factors and generate strategies such as sonic therapeutic intervention, among others, that would facilitate an amelioration of the situation. The judiciary which is supposed to be last hope of justice for the Nigerian citizenry has been proven beyond reasonable doubt to have been infected with the virus of corruption, and therefore, an urgent call for action to rectify the situation is imperative. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a qualitative approach rooted in case study tradition. Findings The findings showed that power and testosterone, cheating proclivity, family pressure, qualitative passion and ignorance, low self-control, inordinate kleptocratic desire, unrestrained mind and sensory modalities, phenomenological mindset and identity crisis as endogenous contributive factors of judicial corruption in Nigeria. Research limitations/implications The limitation of the study stemmed from the fact that inasmuch as a perception of corruption and corruption are cultural phenomena, the study results cannot be generalizable. Practical implications The practical implication of the research is rooted in the fact that the Nigerian judiciary can gain from the study results and recommendation(s) if implemented without fear or favor for the overall renewal of the judiciary and the nation at large. Social implications The study is geared toward ameliorating the Nigerian corrupt judiciary or repositioning the judiciary on its pivotal dignity, and hence, its social implication cannot be overemphasized inasmuch as a positive social change would prevail if the study results and recommendation(s) are aligned with and implemented. Originality/value Inquiry on judicial corruption through the lens of qualitative research with Nigeria as a case study is highly understudied, and hence, this research fills the gap in the financial crime literature.

scholarly journals Value of project management in university–industry R&D collaborations

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 819-843
Author(s):  
Gabriela Fernandes ◽  
David O' Sullivan ◽  
Eduardo B. Pinto ◽  
Madalena Araújo ◽  
Ricardo J. Machado
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Competing Values ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
University Industry

PurposeUniversity–industry projects provide special challenges in understanding and expressing the values required of project management (PM) in delivering stakeholder benefits. This paper presents a framework for understanding, identifying and managing the values of PM in major university–industry R&D projects.Design/methodology/approachThe value framework identifies for each of the key stakeholders, the key PM values that may require to be managed and are largely derived from research literature. Empirical research then explores, prioritises and selects key PM values that need to be managed for a specific project. A large case study is used involving one university and one industry collaborating on a multi-million Euro initiative over six years. Empirical research was conducted by researchers who observed at close quarters, the challenges and successes of managing the competing values of key stakeholders.FindingsThe value framework takes a stakeholders' perspective by identifying the respective PM values for each of six stakeholders: university–industry consortium, university, industry, R&D external entities, funding entity and society.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was performed using only one case study which limits the generalisability of its findings; however, the findings are presented as a decision support aid for project consortia in developing values for their own collaboration.Practical implicationsGuidance and decision support are provided to multi-stakeholder research consortia when selecting values that need to be managed for achieving tangible and intangible project benefits.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates a proposed framework for designing and managing the value of PM in large multi-stakeholder university–industry R&D projects.

Factors influencing maintenance-related investments in industry: a multiple-case study

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Lundgren ◽  
Jon Bokrantz ◽  
Anders Skoogh
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Sustainable Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Investment Process

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to ensure productive, robust and sustainable production systems by enabling future investments in maintenance. This study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the investment process and thereby facilitate future maintenance-related investments. The objectives are to describe the investment process, map the decision support and roles involved and identify factors influencing the process.Design/methodology/approachThe study was designed as a multiple-case study, with three industrial cases of maintenance-related investments. A structured coding procedure was used to analyse the empirical data from the cases.FindingsThis paper provides a deeper understanding of the process of maintenance-related investments. Eleven factors influencing the investment process could be identified, three of which were seen in all three cases. These three factors are: fact-based decision-support, internal integration and foresight.Practical implicationsInvestments in modern maintenance are needed to ensure productive, robust and sustainable production in the future. However, it is a challenge in manufacturing industry to justify maintenance-related investments. This challenge may be solved by developing a decision-support system, or a structured work procedure, that considers the findings of this study.Originality/valueFrom this study, an extended view of the relation between quantifying effects of maintenance and maintenance-related investment is proposed, including surrounding factors influencing the investment process. The factors were identified using a structured and transparent coding procedure which is rarely used in maintenance research.

The rise and decline of TQM in the NHS

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 499-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uche Nwabueze
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to delineate the factors responsible for the decline of total quality management (TQM) in the National Health Service (NHS). It is suggested that if these factors were initially identified and eliminated prior to implementation, the decline of TQM as a strategy for improving the provision and delivery of quality patient care could have been prevented. Design/methodology/approach – The case study approach was chosen because it is the preferred method when “how” or “what” questions are being posed. It is applicable as is evident in this paper where the researcher has little control over events and when the focus is on a contemporary phenomenon within some real-life context. The case study enables the researcher to give an accurate rendition of actual events; it contributes uniquely to the knowledge of individual, organisational, social, and political phenomena. The semi-structured face-to-face interview constituted the main data collection technique of the research. Interviews were held with 23 quality management managers in the British NHS. The central focus of the interview was on “what” factors contributed to the rapid decline of TQM in the NHS. The respondents were chosen because they were directly involved with the implementation of TQM. They were in the vintage position to offer a full insight into the TQM initiative. The analysis of the case is based on Yin's analytic technique of explanation building. Findings – The decline of TQM in the NHS could have been prevented if top executives in hospitals had adopted the sequential steps to quality improvement: In the authors opinion, to land a man on the moon needed a belief in the possibility and breakthrough in the attitudes that viewed space travel as pure science fiction as opposed to a practical reality, and so it should have been with TQM in the NHS. However, the attitude of many NHS managers was that TQM was all right for “other institutions” because “they need it” whereas in the NHS, “we don’t”. This negative attitude should have been overcome if TQM was to be accepted as a corporate, all encompassing philosophy. Research limitations/implications – The limitation of the research may be the sample size of the respondents, which was limited to 23 quality managers that had hands-on experience and the leadership role to lead and implement TQM in the NHS. Future research may consider a broader sample size. It may also be considered for new research to use surveys to identify a broader set of reasons why TQM declined in the NHS. Practical implications – This paper is the first constructive insight to determine reasons for the decline of TQM in the NHS from the individuals who had the sole responsibility for implementation. Any other, group would have amounted to hearsay. Therefore, to constructively delineate the reasons for failure, it was pertinent to learn from the quality managers directly and to ensure that the reasons was representative of their experiences with TQM. The practical implication is to prepare future managers about how to avoid failure. Originality/value – The paper clearly suggests the systematic process required for effective implementation of TQM in a healthcare setting by identifying factors that must be avoided to ensure the successful and sustainable implementation of TQM.

Sensor-based ambient intelligence for optimal energy efficiency

Sensor Review ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Robinson ◽  
David Adrian Sanders ◽  
Ebrahim Mazharsolook
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Energy Management Systems

Purpose – This paper aims to describe research work to create an innovative, and intelligent solution for energy efficiency optimisation. Design/methodology/approach – A novel approach is taken to energy consumption monitoring by using ambient intelligence (AmI), extended data sets and knowledge management (KM) technologies. These are combined to create a decision support system as an innovative add-on to currently used energy management systems. Standard energy consumption data are complemented by information from AmI systems from both environment-ambient and process ambient sources and processed within a service-oriented-architecture-based platform. The new platform allows for building of different energy efficiency software services using measured and processed data. Four were selected for the system prototypes: condition-based energy consumption warning, online diagnostics of energy-related problems, support to manufacturing process lines installation and ramp-up phase, and continuous improvement/optimisation of energy efficiency. Findings – An innovative and intelligent solution for energy efficiency optimisation is demonstrated in two typical manufacturing companies, within one case study. Energy efficiency is improved and the novel approach using AmI with KM technologies is shown to work well as an add-on to currently used energy management systems. Research limitations/implications – The decision support systems are only at the prototype stage. These systems improved on existing energy management systems. The system functionalities have only been trialled in two manufacturing companies (the one case study is described). Practical implications – A decision support system has been created as an innovative add-on to currently used energy management systems and energy efficiency software services are developed as the front end of the system. Energy efficiency is improved. Originality/value – For the first time, research work has moved into industry to optimise energy efficiency using AmI, extended data sets and KM technologies. An AmI monitoring system for energy consumption is presented that is intended for use in manufacturing companies to provide comprehensive information about energy use, and knowledge-based support for improvements in energy efficiency. The services interactively provide suggestions for appropriate actions for energy problem elimination and energy efficiency increase. The system functionalities were trialled in two typical manufacturing companies, within one case study described in the paper.

scholarly journals Adaptive decision support for suggesting a machine tool maintenance strategy

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abubaker Shagluf ◽  
Simon Parkinson ◽  
Andrew Peter Longstaff ◽  
Simon Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Machine Tool ◽  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Maintenance Cost ◽  
Maintenance Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Machine Tool Accuracy

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to produce a decision support aid for machine tool owners to utilise while deciding upon a maintenance strategy. Furthermore, the decision support tool is adaptive and capable of suggesting different strategies by monitoring for any change in machine tool manufacturing accuracy. Design/methodology/approach A maintenance cost estimation model is utilised within the research and development of this decision support system (DSS). An empirical-based methodology is pursued and validated through case study analysis. Findings A case study is provided where a schedule of preventative maintenance actions is produced to reduce the need for the future occurrences of reactive maintenance actions based on historical machine tool accuracy information. In the case study, a 28 per cent reduction in predicted accuracy-related expenditure is presented, equating to a saving of £14k per machine over a five year period. Research limitations/implications The emphasis on improving machine tool accuracy and reducing production costs is increasing. The presented research is pioneering in the development of a software-based tool to help reduce the requirement on domain-specific expert knowledge. Originality/value The paper presents an adaptive DSS to assist with maintenance strategy selection. This is the first of its kind and is able to suggest a preventative strategy for those undertaking only reactive maintenance. This is of value for both manufacturers and researchers alike. Manufacturers will benefit from reducing maintenance costs, and researchers will benefit from the development and application of a novel decision support technique.

Mathematical model for deadlock resolution in multiple AGV scheduling and routing network: a case study

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed Fazlollahtabar ◽  
Mohammad Saidi-Mehrabad ◽  
Ellips Masehian
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Material Handling ◽  
Mathematical Program ◽  
Solution Space ◽  
Automated Guided Vehicles ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Earliness And Tardiness ◽  
Deadlock Resolution

Purpose This paper aims to propose and formulate a complicated routing/scheduling problem for multiple automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in a manufacturing system. Design/methodology/approach Considering the due date of AGVs requiring for material handling among shops in a jobshop layout, their earliness and tardiness are significant in satisfying the expected cycle time and from an economic view point. Therefore, the authors propose a mathematical program to minimize the penalized earliness and tardiness for a conflict-free and just-in-time production. Findings The model considers a new concept of turning point for deadlock resolution. As the mathematical program is difficult to solve with a conventional method, an optimization method in two stages, namely, searching the solution space and finding optimal solutions are proposed. The performance of the proposed mathematical model is tested in a numerical example. Practical implications A case study in real industrial environment is conducted. The findings lead the decision-makers to develop a user interface decision support as a simulator to plan the AGVs’ movement through the manufacturing network and help AGVs to prevent deadlock trap or conflicts. The proposed decision support can easily be commercialized. Originality/value The benefits of such commercialization are increase in the quality of material handling, improve the delivery time and prevent delays, decrease the cost of traditional handling, capability of computerized planning and control, intelligent tracking and validation experiments in simulation environment.

scholarly journals Business process prioritization criteria: a case study in the financial market

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robson Porfírio dos Santos ◽  
Thaiane Martins Salgado ◽  
Veridiana Rotondaro Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Financial Market ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Financial Sector ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Careful Study ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to analyze and examine how an organization from the financial sector prioritizes its business processes and what criteria are adopted to select the most appropriate process for improvement projects. Design/methodology/approach This descriptive research is based on an exploratory approach. Qualitative methodology was applied to a case study through on-site observation, documentation analysis and semi-structured interviews. Findings The results confirm criteria mentioned in the literature, such as financial aspects and strategic impacts, but also raised a new critical issue: automation potential of manual processes, reflecting the current movement of process automation. Research limitations/implications As a limitation of this study, it is worth mentioning the application in only one organization in the financial market and the small number of respondents, even though they occupy leadership positions in the organization. Practical implications As a practical implication, the present work offers a direction for managers of the financial sector in structuring and applying models for prioritizing processes aimed at organizational efficiency. Social implications Automation solutions for process improvement need careful study to minimize impacts in human resources reduction. In this sense, the eligibility of a process for automation must be carefully considered. Originality/value This paper presents the evolution of the process prioritization model adopted by a large institution in the financial market, which has a significant presence in the Brazilian and international markets as a commercial and wholesale bank.

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