10093364AURA 2 - Attaining Ubiquitous Railway Analysis Phase 2ClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKFibre optic Acoustic Sensing (FOAS), also known as Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) is a technology which converts optical fibres into distributed dynamic strain sensors. In rail, existing trackside fibre optic cables can be used to monitor infrastructure and trains, reporting data to within +/- 1m. Rail faces twin challenges of providing ever growing service capacity and efficiency in the face of ageing infrastructure and the loss of skills and expertise as the workforce ages. Continuous condition monitoring of rail assets can help, allowing optimised maintenance and operations. FOAS is a cost-effective emerging technology capable of rapidly providing continuous monitoring of rail assets and operations without need to install any new sensors or run any special trains In this program we will develop new innovative FOAS use cases targeted to deliver commercial value within rail construction; Train arrival estimation (to optimise construction activities), integrated intruder detection (to reduce need for perimeter barriers, cameras, radar etc) and detection of construction activity near the track (to improve safety of construction workers).