To Increase Efficiency of Ticket Gate Tests by a New Innovative Tool

Problem Analysis

• Due to the limitation of the gate design, a gate tester needs to walk through a gate repeatedly in the same direction to test the gate sensor.
• It took 2 gate testers 2 days to complete the testing for a gate. The process is time consuming and inefficient.
• Since a gate tester has to walk through a gate to up to 6,000 times in the same direction, he/she may easily suffer from fatigue or physical injury.
• Manpower is insufficient for the tedious job.
• No tools are available to replace the test.
• No alternative is available in the market
  

Improvement Methods

• A new, simple tool was custom-designed to facilitate gate testing.
• With the new tool, it is capable of repeating the test by just rotating the handle. Gate testers are no longer required to walk through the gate repeatedly.
• By using the new tool, 2 gate testers can perform testing on 2 gates simultaneously. Work efficiency is significantly enhanced.
• Potential risk of fatigue and physical injury is minimised.

Summary of Achievements

Tangible Benefits

• The testing time for one gate has been reduced by 75%.
• Over HK$230,000 can be saved for WIL gate testing.
• After standardisation, the new tool can be further used for new railway lines, bringing more saving on the cost and testing time.

 

Intangible Benefits

• Potential risk of fatigue and physical injury is minimised.
• Communication with external partners is reinforced.
• VMV spirit is demonstrated.
The culture of continuous improvement is demonstrated to the contractor.