Increasingly sophisticated digital technologies have transformed how consumers and goods travel by rail, making them more efficient, convenient, and sustainable. While it can be easy to dismiss innovation as a tick-box exercise, it continues to have a lasting impact on the evolution of rail travel.  

By creating schemes that allow digital innovation to flourish, whether working with disruptive start-ups or adapting existing technologies from other industries, the drive for ideas and collaboration is reaping benefits.  

Here are just three of the ways that digital innovation is already impacting modern rail travel for consumers across the UK.

1. Smart Ticketing

One of the most significant changes in rail travel in recent years has been the introduction of smart ticketing. ‘Smart ticketing’ systems use contactless technology, such as near-field communication (NFC) or radio-frequency identification (RFID), to allow passengers to pay for their tickets using contactless payment through smartphones or debit/credit cards. This approach eliminates the need for hard copies of paper tickets, making the boarding process faster and more efficient.  

Additionally, ‘smart ticketing’ systems provide real-time information to passengers, such as the live status of their train, potential delays, and even the availability of non-booked seating. This information is helpful for the passenger and can be gathered on mass and used by the operators to optimise train schedules, reduce delays, and improve overall passenger satisfaction.

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2. Predictive Maintenance

Digital innovation is transforming the way that rail operators maintain their stock. A great example is Amygda which works with LNER and Northern Rail on predictive maintenance solutions. Its analytics platform enables disruption-free industrial operations, predicting damage and preventing unplanned downtime.

Predictive maintenance uses data from sensors on trains to monitor the performance of different components, particularly those that require regular maintenance, such as engines and brakes.

This data is then examined using machine learning algorithms to predict when a component is likely to fail. The information allows operators to build awareness and schedule maintenance at the most opportune times, reducing downtime and increasing the efficiency of operations.

Predictive maintenance could also improve network safety, identifying potential problems before they occur. The system can help to prevent accidents and reduce the risk of delays caused by maintenance issues.

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3. Autonomous Trains

The development of autonomous trains is another impact of digital innovation in rail. Autonomous trains use sensors, cameras, and machine learning algorithms to navigate tracks and make decisions, such as when to stop and proceed with journeys.

While we’ve seen the same technology in cars highlight some flaws, autonomous trains are already successfully running through Translink in Vancouver, Metroselskabet in Copenhagen, and TMB in Barcelona, amongst others. Ever-improving versions of the concept have the potential to improve safety across networks, reducing the risk of human error.

As well as safety improvements, autonomous trains also have the potential to improve efficiency and can be programmed to optimise their speed and route, reducing the time it takes to travel from one destination to another. Additionally, autonomous trains can also be used to improve overall capacity on a network since they can be programmed to run at higher speeds and with tighter margins for error.

While these technologies are all having a current impact on rail travel, making it more efficient, convenient, and sustainable, continuing to invest in a robust innovation programme will ensure that the industry is always able to find improvements to the way they operate and nourish the seeds of ideas today that will become the common working practice of the future.

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