DIGIM

Project description

Digital technologies underpin new paradigms in innovation and competitiveness across a broad range of market sectors. It is therefore necessary to identify the main digital potential fields and key enabling technologies which could result to quick and high benefits for the railways sector.
All fields of the digital sector should be investigated taking in consideration their applicability in the global railway system. The project will focus on the digital technologies which could lead of quick wins for the railway business.
This project provides the opportunity to develop a common approach for the benefit and interest of the Rail community by identifying:

• risks and opportunities analysis of the application of digital promising technologies in the railway sector
• Priorities and recommendations for the implementation of digital technologies
• potential partnerships with high level center of competence developing digital enabling technologies

DIGIM Programme

The DIGIM (DIgital IMpacts on business processes) programme is a global, cross-functional programme aimed at leveraging new digital technologies to support business process development, improve railway safety and security, optimise operations and make better use of existing data.

DIGIM I

DIGIM I, the first suite of projects within DIGIM, was a cooperative effort between seven UIC members: Canada, Italy, Iran, Luxembourg, Russia and the U.K. DIGIM I launched in 2017 and was completed in 2018.
Three projects, including two proof of concepts, were developed within the scope of DIGIM I: the Clear Station, Connected Level Crossing, and Core projects.

Clear Station
The aim of this project is to ensure safety and complete autonomy for people with disabilities in train stations, improving accessibility for all users, reducing safety risk in emergency and normal situations, and enhancing the customer experience.

The Clear Station system helps blind and partially sighted passengers to be guided safely and autonomously from point A to point B inside the station by advising them of their current location at the station, requesting their desired destination (platform, toilet, shopping area, etc.), recommending a safe route and guiding them safely and with full autonomy to their destination.

The proof of concept has been successfully tested and evaluated by a group of disabled people in Ottawa railway station.

Connected Level Crossing
Waiting behind barriers at level crossings is not pleasant for drivers, and long waiting times may result in dangerous behaviours such as breaching the level crossing. The aim of the Connected Level Crossing project is to optimise closing times at level crossing barriers by considering train speed in order to minimise waiting times and create safer operating conditions at existing level crossings.

The proof of concept was successfully tested and evaluated in Canada. A software application has been developed to provide drivers with real-time information on stations, level crossing closure times and estimated closure duration.

Core
DIGIM programme members were surveyed with the aim of gathering information on all of the initiatives and requirements necessary to select the most relevant digital enabling technologies that can easily be developed and could result in quick wins for the railway sector. The results of the survey contain details on:

• the impact of digital technologies on business processes: pros and cons
• digitalisation in the railways and prerequisites for digitalisation
• areas for development in the context of the DIGIM project
• Quick wins for the railway sector and relevant technologies

DIGIM II