Avanti West Coast has partnered with DHL Supply Chain to roll out smart temperature devices across its onboard catering operation in a first for the UK rail industry.
Using a temperature monitoring solution, food which would normally go to waste will be saved – contributing to the intercity operator’s commitment to reduce its impact on the environment.
The intercity operator and logistics company have installed Internet of Things (IoT) devices – a network of devices that communicate with one another to collect and share data – on Avanti West Coast’s trains, as well as food carts to monitor temperatures and reduce waste.
Fixed to individual carts, chiller displays and the onboard kitchen, each IoT device provides constant monitoring to ensure food is kept at the optimum temperature – supporting the train operator’s efforts to minimise waste.
The technology can issue immediate feedback and alerts on the condition of the carts and areas on the train. Food temperature data can be accessed using a QR code scanner to evaluate patterns and performance.
By offering users access to enhanced data, it enables more informed decisions to be made on whether food should be disposed or, where possible, recycled.
The rollout of these new devices contributes to making the train operator’s catering operations, which include the onboard shop, First Class service, and 500 carts that supply ambient and fresh food to Avanti West Coast’s trains each day, more sustainable. It follows a two-month trial of the temperature monitoring devices designed to support the efficiency and sustainability of the catering operation.
This digital solution to temperature monitoring also improves efficiency, as it removes the need for paperwork.
Dan Peacock, Managing Director, DHL Supply Chain, said: “The significant food waste savings achieved through the introduction of smart IoT devices into our Avanti West Coast operation shows the value of innovation and digital solutions. Nurturing and deploying new technology is part of our commitment to both our customers and the environment. I’m incredibly proud of the team for seeing the opportunity for positive change and making it happen.”
Philippa Creswell, Executive Director of Onboard at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re committed to reducing our impact on the environment and tackling our food waste is just one area that will help achieve this. Partnering with DHL on this innovative temperature monitoring device is the latest initiative to make our catering operations more sustainable – enabling us to make more informed decisions about items that can be kept or wasted.
“The technology has transformed the way we work, and we’re excited to see how it will support safety, while reducing waste across the west coast.”
