Interview Insights:
Rail Analysis: How is digitalization transforming the railway and metro industry globally and in India?
Mr. Thameem Kamaldeen: The global railway and metro industry is experiencing significant transformation due to digitalization, and India is a key player in this evolution. Modern technological advancements in rail and metro services are driving the creation of smart and sustainable transportation solutions. A major development is the adoption of automation towards driverless trains. Increasingly, cities and suburban areas are implementing driverless technology, which enhances efficiency, safety, and overall performance. Paris, for instance, operates the world’s first automated suburban train, exemplifying the potential of this innovation.
High-speed and semi-high-speed rail systems are also gaining prominence. These systems significantly reduce travel times with better predictability, help decongest cities from other modes of transportation, lower emissions, and stimulate economic development. Their role in transforming ground-based transportation is becoming more crucial as urbanization continues to increase.
Another important development is the use of Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC). This system relies on radio communication to provide timely and accurate train control information, improving efficiency and service predictability. As the demand for mass transit systems with expanded capacity grows, the role of CBTC becomes increasingly vital.
The integration of big data and intelligent sensors in the railway industry is opening new opportunities for enhancing safety, reliability, and efficiency. These technologies enable the collection and analysis of vast amounts of data for train communication, predictive analytics, asset management, and passenger information systems. Intelligent sensors contribute to the continuous monitoring and maintenance of rail infrastructure.
As railways become more dependent on digital technologies, robust cybersecurity measures are essential to maintaining trust and reliability. Cybersecurity protects digital infrastructure, including critical data, communication systems, control networks, and other essential components, from potential threats and attacks. Ensuring the security of these systems is crucial for the ongoing advancement and reliability of railway services.
Overall, these technological advancements aim to meet the growing demand for efficient, reliable, and safe public transportation, addressing the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and population growth.
Rail Analysis: What are the main challenges faced by the railway and metro sector in adopting digital technologies?
Mr. Thameem Kamaldeen: Adopting digital technologies in the railway and metro sector presents several challenges, broadly categorized into technical, financial, organizational, and regulatory areas.
Technical Challenges: Integrating extensive legacy systems with new digital technologies is complex and costly, and cybersecurity risks are a significant concern. Ensuring interoperability between various systems and managing the vast amounts of data generated are additional technical hurdles.
Financial Challenges: The high initial investment needed for implementing digital technologies, including new equipment, software, and infrastructure upgrades, can be prohibitive. Demonstrating a clear return on investment (ROI) from digital projects is challenging, especially in the short term, as benefits like improved efficiency and safety may not be immediately quantifiable.
Organizational Challenges: Managing changes in processes and workflows, addressing skill gaps, and overcoming cultural resistance within the workforce are key organizational obstacles.
Regulatory Challenges: Ensuring compliance with existing regulations and standards and meeting stringent safety and reliability requirements can slow down the implementation of new technologies.
Addressing these challenges requires strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and long-term investment. Collaboration between the public and private sectors, along with international cooperation, is crucial for overcoming these obstacles and achieving successful digital transformation in the railway and metro sector.
Rail Analysis: Can you share a successful case study where digitalization has made a significant impact on your projects or operations?
Mr. Thameem Kamaldeen: At Alstom, we are not just working on trains and technologies of today we are shaping the future of mobility. We have been investing strategically to strengthen our tech portfolio to offer solutions that truly add value to our customers and end users.
One such example is Alstom’s partnership with Indian Railways to develop the WAG 12B electric locomotives, incorporating advanced tools like HealthHub™ and TrainTracer™. This transition from traditional mileage-based to condition-based predictive maintenance optimizes lifecycle costs, reducing preventive maintenance labor by up to 20% and material consumption by 15%. IoT-based train-to-ground communication provides real-time data, enhancing operational safety and efficiency. At the Saharanpur depot, predictive technologies ensure 95% locomotive availability, minimizing downtime. Additionally, our training centers with simulators and smart classrooms enhance workforce skills, including training women loco pilots. This digitalization has significantly improved operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.
For the Meerut Metro, Alstom is manufacturing 30 modern trains incorporating energy-saving technologies and advanced design features from the Adessia commuter train family. These trains offer high recyclability, low lifecycle costs, and efficiencies through regenerative braking and reliable propulsion systems, aligning with India’s Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Rail Analysis: How can government policies and regulations support the digital transformation of the rail and metro sectors?
Mr. Thameem Kamaldeen: The digital transformation of railways is a critical component of infrastructure modernization. This initiative will not only elevate Indian Railways to a world-class standard but also create numerous opportunities for industry collaboration under the vision of “New India, New Railways.” Key benefits include enhanced efficiency, increased capacity, improved productivity, and, most importantly, heightened safety.
Indian Railways has embraced digitalization in various operational areas, such as passenger information systems, train signalling, ticketing, computerized wagon allocation, real-time monitoring, and traffic management. These advancements are essential for driving modernization and overall improvement in railway services.
The Indian Government has been prioritizing infrastructure development and the digitization of Indian Railways. The National Rail Plan (NRP) aims to create a “future-ready” railway system by the end of this decade. Government support and investment will be pivotal in accelerating the digitization of urban mobility, fostering innovation, investment, and collaboration. Incentives and subsidies can further encourage research and development, enabling companies to invest in digital solutions and accelerating the development and deployment of smart mobility solutions.
Rail Analysis: What are your predictions for the future of digitalization in the rail and metro industry over the next decade?
Mr. Thameem Kamaldeen: Over the years, Alstom has been at the forefront of evolving the railways globally and continue to be a strategic partner in supporting India’s transition toward sustainable mass
mobility.
In the next decade, technology will play a pivotal role in urban mobility, ensuring transportation is safe, reliable, and efficient. Governments worldwide will prioritize low- emission rail technologies, such as hydrogen (H2) trains, efficient electrification, and advanced signalling systems.
Driverless Automatic Train Operation will become standard, eliminating human error and increasing efficiency and reliability. Alstom is leading the development of autonomous systems with our extensive experience in fully automated and driverless metros, operating over 50 systems worldwide. Recently, we began production for Chennai Metro Phase 2, which will feature driverless trains from the first day of passenger service, a first for India.
AI and data analytics will be crucial in modernizing railways, making them more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable. The recently inaugurated Namo Bharat, India’s first semi-high- speed rail, reduces travel time by 40%, is powered by Alstom’s advanced train and signalling technology incorporating AI elements. This technology enhances train safety, efficiency, speed management, and overall passenger experience. Our new Digital Experience Center, a hub for developing next-gen signalling using AI, Big Data, LTE, data/imaging analytics, and cybersecurity technologies, further strengthens our leadership in high-tech signalling solutions.
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