Cogitare have extensive experience of identifying the best value for money projects to invest in within the PPP context and assisting clients drive projects through to implementation. Where there is a gap or problem which hinders identification or implementation we solve it. The key is in stakeholder buy-in and accurate identification of the whole life costs and benefits. To this effect we have developed numerous models and processes. Some of our more relevant projects are outlined below. Most projects cover the full project life-cycle, from identification of potential investment choices through to implementation of the optimised solution. The below list is categorised according to the main focus of the project, although many projects cover the full range of skills.
Implementation
Power Upgrades
Optimisation
2003-2007 – London Underground
Developed and implemented the process to identify the optimum Conceptual Design
for Upgrading power supplies to support new rolling stock. This has reduced
London Underground Power Infrastructure Costs by approx £0.5bn. Process
includes train simulation and supporting whole life cost benefit analysis.
Line Upgrades Optimisation
2004-present – London Underground
Identified, evaluated and presented short and long term upgrade opportunities
for energy savings and improved service recovery for all London Underground
lines. The project will reduce the whole life cost of Line Upgrades by over
£0.5 billion, reduce energy by 20-30% and improve performance. We are
currently working with London Underground and Infracos to implement the optimised
solutions. Implementation of the SSL optimised solution is agreed and confirmation
of implementation is on going for the remaining lines.
Train declarations
2004 & 2005 – Tube Lines Ltd
Cogitare determined the optimum number of additional trains to provide to
London Underground which increased Tube Lines performance revenues by 2.3m
per annum. This was achieved by developing a whole life business case looking
at performance regime revenues relative to increased maintenance costs and
risks of failure.
Doors improvement
2005-2007 – Tube
Lines Ltd
Doors on the Piccadilly fleet were notoriously slow and variable in performance,
and operated a sequence quite different to other LU fleets. This programme
was to improve the overall availability, capability and safety of the door
system. Maintenance was improved and monitoring introduced under a strong
business case, normalising the performance. The door chime sequence was changed
to bring it in line with other stocks and the safety cases and other LU /
client interactions managed.
Temporary speed restrictions
removals
2004 - present – Tube Lines Ltd
Temporary speed restrictions are place on the railway for a number or reasons,
such as deteriorating track condition and cannot be removed until dealt with.
Tube Lines Ltd are abated for these. By developing the business case and liaising
across the business, Cogitare have successfully implemented projects to remove
the speed restrictions improving Tube Lines revenues by £2.5million
per annum. To date 4 speed restrictions on the Northern line and 2 on the
Piccadilly line have been lifted.
2006-present
– Tube Lines Ltd
Cogitare are managing speed improvements for Tube Lines. Cogitare liaise across
directorates to identify potential improvements, obtain stakeholder buy-in
and funding and follow projects through to implementation.
Faster run-times have the following benefits:
- reduced excess journey times
- more recovery time to current timetable & less time in future timetables
- increased LU customer benefits and revenues
Cogitare and the London Underground Public Private Partnership
2001 – 2003 London Underground
• Development of the PPP Capability performance measurement regime including
authoring sections of the PPP Contract;
• Set the performance benchmarks against which the private partners
are rewarded in the £16 billion performance-based Contract;
• Project management of a £2m Capability test programme commissioned
from internal London Underground business units;
• Development of the London Underground strategy and process to manage
the Capability performance regime post contract implementation:
• Applied the knowledge and tools gained from the Capability performance
measurement regime to increase the efficiency of London Underground's operations
Tools to assist manage the PPP, evaluate whole life costs and benefits and improve performance
Train and station systems optimisation model
2006
– London Underground
Specification and development of a whole life cost-benefit model to optimise
train-systems, station systems and asset management for Metros. The model
uses the outputs from train simulators and other models. Alternative investment
and asset management strategies are appraised at a systems level and converted
into cash flows, NPVs and Equivalent Annual Costs and benefits to derive the
best value for money strategy.
Run-time and timetable
optimisation model
2007-2008 – London Underground
Currently developing a model to optimise the speed limits, amount of coasting
and service frequency for the line upgrades. The model optimises the balance
between energy consumption, performance, customer benefits, power infrastructure
and tunnel cooling costs.
Energy consumption & power demand model
2007 – London Underground
Developed a model, used by London Underground to forecast future energy consumption
and required sub-station Upgrades following Line Upgrades and performance
improvements.
Software development:
Automated Single-train-simulator Database
2002 – 2003 London Underground
The Automated Single-train-simulator Database (ASD) is a train simulator which
measures the time a train takes to get from A to B under differing infrastructure
and driving style conditions. It provides the latest in current computing
functionality through an easy to use front end user interface and database
back end. The software is now considered essential to London Underground's
management of the PPP Capability performance regime.
Software development:
Train Data Processor (TDP)
2003 - London Underground
Cogitare performed a world first by developing software which enables London
Underground to assess driving style from in service train data recorder downloads
(Train Data Processor). The TDP takes the output from TELOC data recorders
and outputs driver speed distance traces and compares to best-practice. This
further develops London Underground's understanding of the interaction between
driver and infrastructure whilst simultaneously providing a tool for London
Underground to target train drivers who would most benefit from assistance.
Failure rate statistical
toolkit
2006 – Tube Lines Ltd
Translates equipment failure rates into a likely range of costs and performance
impacts. It also provides a statistical toolkit to explain the relevance of
the outputs to aid making informed decisions.
Availability model
2007 – Tube Lines Ltd
The Availability Model is a Whole Life Asset Management tool capable of forecasting
the costs or benefits of infrastructure and maintenance decisions, investment
decisions, and the impact of different incentivisation regimes. It maintains
its accuracy by monitoring real data, and risk is modelled through integrated
Monte Carlo and other statistical tools, facilitating basic to expert level
analysis.
Analysis
Safety cost benefit
analysis – Compromised overlaps
2006 – Tube Lines Ltd
How much is it worth spending to improve safety and what is the best use of
the money? To answer this difficult question Cogitare performed a detailed
safety cost benefit analysis, covering all aspects of performance and safety,
for the compromised overlap sites over the Tube Lines network, in accordance
with Governmental and London Underground guidance, to determine the optimal
solution - do nothing (situation already ALARP (risk as low as reasonably
practicable), permanent speed restriction or change to the signalling logic.
Multi-train simulators
2007 – London Underground
Specified, project managed, validated the multi-train simulation studies done
by Mott MacDonald, and used the results for undertaking whole life cost-benefit
analysis studies and optimising the investment in power and upgrading projects.
The project involved specification of improvements to the Mott MacDonald software
to produce the outputs required for whole life cost-benefit analysis.
Contract mediation and Partnership working
Contract mediation
for Lyon Metro extension
2006 – 2013 - Semaly & Sytral (France)
Appointed as Contract Mediators for the Metro extension to Oullins in Lyon.
Our task is to help the two companies to work in partnership and develop the
relationships, communication channels and processes to improve the outcome
for both companies without disputes.