Preventing Road Flooding for Network Rail with Smart Drainage Monitoring

Network Rail partnered with Detectronic to tackle persistent road flooding caused by rising water levels in a trackside drainage network. Frequent silt build-up and limited visibility of system performance were leading to repeated flooding, road closures, and reactive maintenance.

By deploying LIDoTT Alarm level monitoring devices across multiple manholes, Detectronic provided real-time alerts and continuous data to track drainage performance. This enabled Network Rail to identify trends, detect early signs of blockages, and take proactive action before flooding occurred.

Following targeted jetting and cleaning, data confirmed improved system behaviour, with water levels returning to normal more consistently after rainfall. The monitoring has established a clear baseline for “normal” performance, supporting more effective and efficient maintenance planning.

With API integration planned, Network Rail will further enhance its ability to analyse trends and refine alert thresholds, reducing flood risk and long-term maintenance demand.

• Early warning of flood risk
• Data-led maintenance planning
• Reduced road closures and disruption

Download the full case study to see how monitoring data is transforming drainage management for Network Rail.