RIA report on digital tech opportunities in rail sets out six asks of government
The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has launched a report outlining the challenges and opportunities facing the rail industry on data and digital technologies.
The report ‘Data and Digital Technologies in Rail: Industry needs, opportunities, and priorities’, comes after the UK Government published its Transport Data Strategy, which minsters say will improve passenger access to digital apps and sites to help plan, pay and access the transport system.
Following a consultation of RIA members, the report includes six key ‘asks’ of Government, policy makers and clients, which would enable, expediate and ensure the success of the UK railway’s digital transition over the next 10 years: the ‘Digital Decade’.
These six ‘asks’ are:
The railway’s digital transition requires leadership, strategy, and action, starting now. Strong cross-industry leadership is needed, to define a strategy and to ensure solid commitment is made to bring about the required changes and investment
Rail talent needs to be empowered through upskilling and creating the right culture. Railways need a cross-industry drive to ensure people working in rail have the right skills for the new digital world, and they need to be empowered through widespread cultural and organisational change to reap the full rewards
Every organisation should place customers at the heart of everything it does and remain receptive to change. Collaboratively, across the client-supplier interface, rail’s offering needs to be constantly developed to ensure it reflects an ever-changing world
Invest in Innovation. Invest In Implementation. The industry needs to open itself up to different ideas from new and experienced innovators in its own and other industries. This will require investment in innovation, implementation, and the business changes that go with it
Operations and maintenance must embrace the digital future, building in digital approaches from the ground up and designing assets, operations, and maintenance around them
Collaboration and openness are vital, and this starts with clients. The sharing of robust datasets through appropriate channels should be built into procurement and service contracts to ensure compliance across the supply chain.
Milda Manomaityte, Innovation Director for RIA said, “Just after the UK Government published its Transport Data Strategy, we are delighted to publish our new report. As this new report shows, effectively harnessing the power of data is crucial to building a railway fit for the future. From smart sensors to the use of cutting-edge AI, data will play a critical role in a fully integrated railway in the years ahead.
“Railway industry leaders and policy makers need to ensure everyone working in UK rail is ready for the transition to an increasingly data-led network over the next 10 years, in what will be a Digital sector.”
Milda Manomaityte is part of a panel looking at connecting transport to emerging technology taking place at Interchange in Birmingham on 18/19 April. RIA is also organising a day-long series of “innovation swop” workshops as part of Interchange programme. Interchange is free to attend, you’ll find further details and registration details at https://www.interchange-uk.com/