Decision Support Tool (DST)
Enhancing railway control room efficiency to reduce delays across the railway network
Railway control room challenges
Running a railway network can be challenging in several different ways. Operators need information from several different sources, using multiple systems, leading to tasks being duplicated, and time wasted. Railway networks by their nature are complex, and can cover large geographical area, making it difficult to know what is happening everywhere at once. Without easy quick access to all the information needed, decisions can take time to make, which leads to further delays to the train services.
The tool addresses these challenges by:
Streamlining Data
Consolidating all data sources into one easy to use UI, saving users time when looking up information and making decisions.
Enhanced Regulation
Providing predictive clash/conflict alerts for train services that will potentially be delaying each other – leading to better regulation decisions.
Early Warning System
Real-time alerts, based on GPS and train movement data, that give controllers early warning signs of trains that have become delayed – leading to quicker decisions.
Optimising Operations
Utilise domain knowledge to quickly assess diversion feasibility and efficiently adjust timetables during disruptions with a live map.
Proactive Management
Predictive stock and crew alerts for when diagrams are possibly going to be breached
Modules and features
Controllers may not be aware of all problems occurring over the large network they are monitoring.
Clash/conflict predictions
These alerts tell a controller when 2 or more trains will be arriving at the same location within a specified time window, giving the user an early warning as to when trains may become delayed by other trains, maximising the opportunity to take regulation action, which leads to reducing delays for passengers and minimising costs for train operators.
Service alerts
These alerts tell the controller when services are running late, have breached their sectional running time or have breached the timetabled dwell time at a booked calling stop, giving the user an early warning as to what trains are delayed and where.
Stock and crew alerts
These alerts are based on the stock and crew diagrams that are integrated into the system and tell the user when a unit or crew member will possibly breach their turnaround time, which would cause a delay to the next working service.
GPS Alerts
GPS alerts are based on the geofenced stations and tiplocs of a TOCs route and will alert the user when a train has stopped in a location it was not expected to.
The live trains module allows controllers to access all the information they need in one place, without having to look up information in multiple different systems.
Live train movement data can be viewed in real-time, alongside data imported from multiple different systems, such as GPS information, crew and stock diagrams, allocations and loading/weigh data.
The diversion engine module provides replanning suggestions when a line block incident occurs on the network.
It uses custom configured databases and rules to automatically suggest diversionary routes that might be available, considers track capabilities, stock type, crew skills, and compares the predicted running times of using the diversion versus waiting for the incident to be over. This greatly improves the time it takes to calculate if a diversion is possible and worthwhile, leading to quicker decisions and less delayed trains.
As part of the live trains’ module, users are given a sandbox environment to test train service decisions, log incidents and record decisions.
The incident management module gives users and easy to use wizard for recording incidents as they occur, providing the user with a list of affected trains, and a predicted incident delay time, based on the incident parameters. Incidents can also be imported in real-time from external incident logging systems via an API.
This works alongside the decision management module allows users to test and record decisions before carrying them out. Users can change calling patterns, divert services to different locations and cancel services, and mark them for approval by other stakeholders in the decision-making process.
The Live Map module gives controllers an entire view of the railway network they are responsible for monitoring.
Users can search by station or headcode or click and drag their way around an easy-to-use graphical representation of the specified routes. All trains from all TOCs are shown, and users can view which diversion routes are also available to use.
Customer Experience Information Module
Decisions created within the system can be exported in a number of different formats in order to feed customer information channels, social media accounts, content management systems, Darwin and other standard industry systems.
Benefits
Increased train performance
Reduction in train delays, leading to reduced associated train operating company costs
Cost Savings
Reduced operational costs, control staff can be more efficient using DST (quicker and better decisions), less new staff needed, and reduced training costs Reduced fuel costs resulting from reduced delay
Improved Passenger Satisfaction
Reduced train delays lead to better results in customer satisfaction surveys, resulting in increased revenue from increased usage of the railway
Environmental Impact
Reduction in carbon emissions and energy usage resulting from reduced train delays and optimised train routing
Bespoke Rail Solutions
We understand that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to rail. That’s why we offer bespoke services and customisable modules which can be mix-and-matched to ensure that your rail solutions perfectly align with your unique requirements.
We pride ourselves on our flexibility and agility, seamlessly integrating custom solutions into your project timeline and budget.
Whether you’re looking to enhance safety, improve efficiency, or optimise performance, we ensure that your railway system is tailored to meet your exact requirements.
For a consultation or a product demo, please get in touch.
Or alternatively, call us on 0203 011 1008
