JBA Consulting's Surface Water Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System

Background

The initiative, supported by the Department for Transport, provided funding for projects aimed at making railways more sustainable, efficient, and passenger friendly. JBA Consulting’s project, Surface Water Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System, was developed in liaison with Network Rail, a lead customer in the rail industry, to address the challenge of surface water flooding. The goal was to create a real-time decision-making tool to optimise railway operations and maintenance.

JBA Consulting integrated its Flood Foresight technology with high-resolution Met Office ensemble rainfall forecasts to develop this innovative system, which would allow railway operators to accurately forecast and respond to surface water flood risks.

Project overview

Flood Foresight is JBA Consulting’s advanced flood forecasting and alert system, designed to provide flood inundation mapping and impact forecasting to multiple industries. The initial surface water user case was targeted at national rail infrastructure, in partnership with Network Rail. The focus was on real-time flood predictions and alerts related to heavy rainfall and surface water flooding, both critical risks for railway infrastructure.

The project addressed two key challenges outlined in the Department for Transport’s Rail Competition:

• Optimising railway operations
• Optimised and cost-effective maintenance

The collaboration with Network Rail, JBA’s lead customer on the project, was crucial to the success of the Flood Foresight project. Through close cooperation, JBA developed asset-specific forecasts that met the operational needs of railway operators. Network Rail’s input helped ensure the system was designed to reflect real-world conditions and end-user requirements.

JBA Consulting acknowledged that the FOAK 2020 funding was instrumental in the project’s success. While the fluvial flood forecasting system in Flood Foresight was well developed before the competition, the funding provided the resources necessary to dedicate time and expertise to its full realisation, adding the surface water flood forecasting module. Having an established relationship with Network Rail also allowed JBA to tailor its innovation directly to the rail industry’s needs, demonstrating the power of targeted projects.

One of the project’s most important outcomes was the creation of new intellectual property – the surface water flood forecasting and early warning system. This system, which remains in use today, plays a critical role in managing surface water risks across multiple applications, including enabling safer and more efficient railway operations.

Conclusion

JBA Consulting’s Flood Foresight project is a prime example of how innovation-driven contracts can solve government challenges, with benefits that extend across industries. By developing a pioneering surface water flood forecasting and early warning system, JBA has demonstrated potential to enhance Network Rail’s ability to manage flood risks, improving operational efficiency and reducing maintenance costs. The project’s long-term success and potential for broader application suggest it will have far-reaching impacts in other sectors vulnerable to surface water flooding.

For more details on JBA Consulting’s Flood Foresight, visit their Flood Forecasting page, and explore their video and podcast content that provide further insights into this groundbreaking innovation.

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