Please based on my FOI 1771-1819 request and this article https://www.theregister.co.uk/Print/2009/05/07/rfid_underground/ Can you please give me more information about the case files and work reports on how you maintain escalators using RFID tags?

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Our ref: FOI-2048-1819/GH

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 1 November 2018 asking for information about escalators using RFID tags.

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold some of the information you require.

We utilise RFID tags on some of our escalator steps on London Underground, however we do not log any information on these steps other than serial number and year of manufacture.

As part of the cat 1 standard we are required to be able to uniquely identify our steps. This was previously done by use of a bar code, however due to dirt and grease, these sometimes became unreadable. Several years ago, RFID tags were installed on new steps. This enabled step numbers to be read without the need to stop or climb into the machine. There are two different types of tag currently employed across different LU lines.

We are however, currently looking to stop the installation of RFID tags on steps as they add unnecessary cost for little benefit.

We do not hold any case files, or work logs on these tags as they are purely a means for identification only.

If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Graham Hurt

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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