Leon Kleiboer

‘Trains should always simply be driving and we help them do that.’

‘To me it is important that our work has social added value. Take one of our contributions to the availability of public transportation, for example. Trains should always simply be driving and we help them do that. In one of the projects we did for the Dutch Railways (NS/NedTrain), we monitor a number of technical systems in the train.

Things such as voltage converters, climate control systems, door counters, etc. We retrieve and process the data produced by these sensors to provide clear insight into what requires maintenance and when. In the past, trains were pulled into the depot where all kinds of things were checked and preventively replaced. Now you can see what may be wrong even before it becomes a problem that will lead to a malfunction. Often this can be remedied with minor maintenance. This is faster, cheaper and yields other benefits in terms of stock management and scheduling of maintenance personnel.

Parts are now being replaced on the basis of use and condition, rather than time. This not only saves money, it is also more sustainable.  These kinds of considerations are important to me. As systems architect I would also be able to produce smartphone games, but that doesn’t appeal to me at all.’