Transforming Operations, Maintenance, and Customer Experience

The rail industry is undergoing technological transformation, adopting digital technologies for efficient operations, predictive maintenance, and enhanced customer experiences as demand for real-time data and personalised services grows.

FREMONT, CA: The rail industry is undergoing a fast technological transformation. In the last two decades, transportation companies around the world have incorporated new technologies to bring comfort to passengers’ journeys. Public transportation systems have progressed from basic mass transit systems to integrated public transport providers. These public transportation systems have welcomed digitisation for the provision of various services such as customer service assistance, security, and operational support, as well as transporting passengers from their origin to their destination.

There is rising demand for accurate and real-time data. Mobility data is also increasingly becoming more predictable, distinguished, and individualised. This has enabled the layering of brand-new technologies, which are backed by AI-powered and automated solutions. As a result, smart stations, operations, mobility, and maintenance have evolved.

The process of digitisation has transformed the railroad industry. In these modern times, railways are utilising digital technologies to improve their operations and efficiency.

The Digitisation of Rail Operations

In the context of train operations, the process of digitisation can boost the efficiency and productivity of drivers, station staff, middle management, as well as operations people. Rail digitisation also can offer real-time information to operations individuals, such as rotating scroll warnings, centralised traffic control, track maps, and more. For instance, one of the largest transportation systems in the world has started with the digitisation of its activities. The railway operator has designed a macro-project with a wide and cross-functional scope. The various phases of the project include:

• The digital process involving the inspection of station installations

• Digital head-end information display systems

• Tablets for station and running staff

• Digital repository of operational documentation

• Digital time recording for the staff

Digitisation for infrastructure maintenance

The deployment of technologies such as sensors, IoT, and devices in rail infrastructure maintenance are opening up numerous opportunities that involve predictive maintenance, problem/damage detection, and coordination with other systems such as logistics providers, government agencies, and transport modes.

Over the recent years, a large number of digitised applications have been launched in collaboration with public transport operators and technological system providers to improve system security, lowering maintenance costs, problem detection, asset availability optimisation, and mitigation strategies.

Digitisation for Signalling and Controlling Systems

Digitalised signalling and controlling of systems possess the potential to widely improve the dependability and performance of train operations. Within the context of infrastructure asset management, eliminating the obsolete train signal boxes and heavy copper wires.

Digitisation in Customer Experience

Customer service is a largely important part of rail transport operators. Passengers want better service and real-time information. The expectations of passengers are only rising and with increased competition from newly emerging mobility players, train and railway operators have to embrace new technologies and provide digital experiences to retain their competitive nature.