Asset Maintenance Optimization Model That Reduces Transit OPEX

Our Asset Maintenance Optimization Model, AM20, examines existing and readily available operations data to deliver cost savings and process efficiencies rapidly.

For the nation’s largest transit agencies, maintenance of stations, stops, tracks, vehicles, bridges, tunnels and other assets ensures system safety and reliability. It also represents the second largest percentage of operational expenses.

We recently worked with one of the country’s biggest transit agencies to cut those expenses significantly by deploying our Asset Maintenance Optimization Model, or AM20.

Benefits Now, Not Years from Now

Using existing, easily accessed data, AM20 identified maintenance redundancies and improvement opportunities. The insight optimized process and schedules without compromising the highest standards for system safety, reliability and compliance.

“The AM20 model doesn’t require technology upgrades or new software,” said Doug Stevenson, senior vice president, asset management at WSP. “It finds efficiencies in current maintenance programs and delivers operational benefits in a matter of weeks, not years.”

For example, the model analyzed the steps taken and time involved for maintenance performed on buses every 6,000 miles. It found a majority of the tasks could be removed or reallocated to other maintenance schedules, delivering time savings, freeing staff for other tasks and increasing availability of buses for revenue service.

Additionally, after evaluating failure trends and preventive maintenance cycles for two primary asset classes (tunnel ventilation systems and escalators), it was determined the duration between major maintenance cycles could be increased, reducing cost to maintain by 33% for each asset class.

Location

United States

The AM20 model doesn’t require technology upgrades or new software. It finds efficiencies in current maintenance programs and delivers operational benefits in a matter of weeks, not years.

Doug Stevenson Senior Vice President, Asset Management, WSP in the U.S.

Doug Stevenson Senior Vice President, Asset Management, WSP in the U.S.

Measurable Results

AM20 revealed opportunities for efficiency that significantly reduced the agency’s maintenance costs, allowing it to prioritize operating expenditures toward greatest needs. The model delivered:

50% reduction in maintenance hours spent on the costliest planned maintenance item.
33% reduction in planned maintenance costs by eliminating redundant and/or ineffective tasks.
33% reduction in planned maintenance on two major asset classes by adjusting maintenance schedules to more appropriate intervals.
Replaced paper-based processes with digital solutions, increasing ability to perform data analytics.
Improved ability to determine tolerance conditions and to identify thresholds requiring adjustments.

Time savings optimized performance. Maintenance schedule optimization improved processes. And the model identified opportunities for new digital solutions to improve time and cost savings even further.

“There’s a gold mine of opportunity in reviewing accessible and available data, schedules and processes,” Stevenson said. “Our AM20 model opens it and offers transit leaders the fastest route to reduced operational costs.”