Rail Surveying and Monitoring
Deliverables and Services
Aerial Surveys
Our services include UAV surveys. Including high resolution imagery and vegetation penetrating LiDAR. We operate the latest fixed and Rota wing UAVs.
Utilities Survey (PAS:128)
All utilities survey will be carried out to PAS:128 survey type B will consist of Radio Frequency (RF) Detection Survey, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Survey, Manhole Inspection and Topographic Survey techniques.
Laser Scanning and 3D Modelling
3D Laser scanning collects up to 1 million points per second measuring everything you can see. Giving accuracy levels up to 2mm from one scan position. 3D models can be created for all features above and below ground.
Site engineering and setting out
Our site engineers working out of our offices in Exeter, Bath, Bristol, and Swindon provide support to our construction clients day, night and weekends 365 days a year. Our engineers our minimum PTS qualified and we can provide COSS and or SMSTS, SSSTS qualified engineers for an extra cost. Having combined experience of surveying, setting out and monitoring of hundreds of miles of track our team is up for the challenge. Our teams have the back-office support and quality assurance from experienced industry experts.
Data Management & Digital Assurance.
3D Engineering Surveys have facilities to provide all data through Secure antivirus protected data exchange services. Share-point Network Rail approved actively in use within Balfour Beatty East & West or Bentley Project wise in accordance with the Network Rail Wales & Western BIM Strategy.
With over 20 years of railway and surveying experience, 3D Engineering Surveys delivers a comprehensive range of rail surveying and monitoring services across the Great Western route. Operating in compliance with Network Rail Standard NR/L2/TRK/3100 and all relevant Network Rail standards, our teams work out of offices in Exeter, Bath, Bristol, and Swindon — providing support day, night, and weekends, 365 days a year.
We invest continuously in state-of-the-art technology, including fixed and rotary-wing UAVs with high-resolution imagery and vegetation-penetrating LiDAR, 3D laser scanning capable of capturing up to 1 million points per second, and automated total station (ATS) systems for 24/7 continuous track monitoring. Our dual air-and-track capability provides significant mitigation of programme, financial, and on-site safety risks.
Our remote monitoring capabilities include wireless geotechnical and structural monitoring, automated void detection, Critical Rail Temperature (CRT) management, and ATS systems that deliver real-time data, automated alerts, and daily reporting to clients. We hold equipment in stock ready for reactive deployment and can typically attend sites along the Great Western LORs within 4 hours of notice.
All data is managed and delivered through secure, antivirus-protected platforms including Network Rail-approved SharePoint (active within Balfour Beatty East & West) and Bentley ProjectWise, in line with the Network Rail Wales & Western BIM Strategy.
Additional services
Our Rail Surveying and Monitoring offer numerous services.
01
Coordinated Track Surveys
Plain line and complex Switch & Crossing (S&C) track surveys capturing all key Permanent Way details including twists,
crossing nose angles and switch sizes.
02
Structure Gauging
Measuring and analysing train passing clearances for structures such as tunnels and bridges, using laser scanning to produce detailed 3D point clouds, profiles and database updates.
03
Platform Gauging
Band 0-1 accurate platform gauging using calibrated equipment, with Handback Engineers to check and confirm conformance.
04
OLE Height and Stagger Surveys
Precise surveying of overhead line equipment using calibrated gauges, tied to a coordinated 3D track survey and chainage system with rigorous quality assurance.
05
Control Networks
Installation and computation of robust control networks using bespoke grids including Snake Grid projections, localised project grids or Ordnance Survey-tied coordinates.
06
Track Monitoring
Manual and automated monitoring for embankment, piling and construction works adjacent to track, with real-time alarms, 24/7 remote operation and regular track inspections.
07
Drainage Surveys
Topographic and CCTV surveys of track drainage assets using electromagnetic and GPR technology, producing detailed drawings and manhole record cards.
08
Machine Control
Setting up and maintaining machine control systems for Civil and P-way relay and renewal projects using Trimble and Leica Geosystems equipment.
09
Wireless Condition Monitoring
Remote geotechnical and structural monitoring using wireless sensor nodes — from tilt to crack sensors — delivering live data and alerts from anywhere in the world.
10
Void Assessments
Monitoring of dynamic voiding under load using remote void meters, providing 24/7 online data to manage twist faults and reduce derailment risk without requiring track access.
11
Critical Rail Temperature (CRT) Management
CRT assessments, watchman and coordinator services supported by remote smart sensors delivering live temperature data, graphs and alerts to manage rail buckle and derailment risk.