Tarmac, a sustainable building materials and construction solutions business, is now leveraging TOPS (Total Operations Processing System) to digitise and optimise its rail freight performance in the UK. Thanks to its collaboration with Everysens, Tarmac is taking a step further towards fully digitised rail freight operations.
Tracking freight trains without GPS: a world of possibilities
TOPS is the computer system that Network Rail uses to oversee the management of British railways. Users need to connect to TOPS to track trains and wagons in the UK, and specifically its TRUST (Train Running Under System TOPS) system, which gathers data from trains on the rail network.
To track the freight trains of their UK-based client Tarmac, Everysens has developed an integration with TOPS. Everysens connects to collate all relevant data (positions, geofences, train progress, etc.) to feed a live map inside their platform. Tarmac now has precise ETAs for their rail transports and can compare forecasted transport plans with real-time data.
Digitising Tarmac’s rail freight operations is a crucial step forward in enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and overall operational excellence. The integration with TOPS enables Tarmac to measure performance, analyse patterns, and ensure smooth planning anticipation and collaboration between stakeholders like depots, quarries, rail operators and central teams. All in one place.
This digitisation not only streamlines the monitoring process, but also allows for proactive decision-making based on accurate data. It ensures that Tarmac can continue to innovate and meet the evolving needs of its customers, while maintaining the highest standards of reliability and performance.
Chris Swan, Head of Rail at Tarmac, said:
“Everysens’ integration with TOPS has significantly supported Tarmac to digitise its rail freight operations. Tracking our freight trains has become a lot easier and more precise through digital solutions. With real-time ETA data, we can optimise routes, manage resources, and provide an even higher level of service to our customers. This integration underscores our commitment to staying ahead in technology, embracing digitisation for more efficient and streamlined operations.”
Sabrina Meksaoui, CRO at Everysens, Board Member at RailFreight Group, adds:
“We’re proud of the positive impact the integration with TOPS has on Tarmac’s digitisation journey. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to advancing rail freight solutions and seamless data integration for all. We continue towards our goal of enhancing rail freight use and digital transformation. Exciting times ahead as we continue this project, bringing innovation and efficiency to transportation!”
About Tarmac
Tarmac, a CRH company, is the UK’s leading sustainable building materials and construction solutions business. Tarmac combines the knowledge and expertise of two of the construction industry’s most iconic brands: Tarmac, the pioneers of the modern asphalt road 120 years ago, and Blue Circle, the company that patented Portland Cement.
Our innovative products and solutions not only safely deliver the infrastructure needed to grow the UK economy today but also help to create a more sustainable built environment for the country’s long-term future. Tarmac has an ambitious target to reduce CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030 and reach net zero before 2050. We have contributed to some of the UK’s biggest construction and infrastructure projects. These include HS2, The Sainsbury Laboratory, Wembley Stadium, Heathrow Terminal 5, Blackpool Sea Defences, The Shard and London 2012.
Tarmac directly employs around 6,000 people across a nationwide network of over 350 sites. Our solutions span aggregates, asphalt, cement, lime, ready mix concrete, offsite manufacture, road contracting, highways maintenance and infrastructure services, building products and recycling services. This unique combination of people, technology and assets enables us to offer customers unrivalled choice, innovation and flexibility.
About Everysens
Everysens has developed the first Transport Visibility & Management System (“TVMS”), a software specialising in the digitalisation of all industrial rail transport processes in Europe. The tool reconciles logistics processes and data from the field by combining predictive transport planning with real-time visibility of each flow.
TVMS facilitates exchanges between manufacturers, carriers and clients for better planning and execution of transport flows. Integrated with more than 40 railway companies and wagon rental companies, Everysens makes the railway and intermodal ecosystem accessible, whether for whole trains or individual wagons.
The largest companies in the chemical, cereal, steel and building materials industries (including Tarmac, Arkema, TotalEnergies, Roquette, HeidelbergCement) trust Everysens to optimise the performance of their rail logistics processes and reduce their carbon footprint. The company organises its rail freight flows in more than 12 countries in Europe.
Based in Lille, Everysens also has an office in Paris and one in Duisburg, Germany, and employs over 50 people.