Automation and efficiency can be game changers, propelling a mode of transport born almost 200 hundred years ago into an efficient, twenty-first century one that has never been in more demand, writes Rahul Prabhakar, head of transportation practice, global services at Nokia.
With the increasing demand for passenger and freight capacity, the rail industry has two major focuses for the coming years – to improve safety and efficiency.
Neither of these goals is easy to achieve due to operational expense considerations, as well as an increasing skills gap and expensive workforce on contract. The rail industry has to compete with airlines and road transport by providing the best customer experience – the constraints of a massive asset base, legacy operations procedures, and multiple uncontrolled variables make any improvements challenging.