In the rapidly-evolving world of rail infrastructure, maintaining and upgrading both track and the telecom systems that support it is a critical task. Traditionally, track renewals and telecom upgrades have been treated as separate initiatives, leading to inefficiencies in planning, resources, and execution. As demand for more reliable high-speed rail and telecoms services increases, an integrated approach to rail and telecom renewals offers a compelling solution.
The Case for Integrated Renewals
Railways have long been the backbone of global transportation, moving millions of passengers and tons of freight every day. With this increased demand, the pressure on rail networks to modernise and improve efficiency is more intense than ever. Historically, track renewals and telecom system upgrades were often planned and executed independently.
This siloed approach resulted in several challenges: having different teams working on track and telecom projects can lead to repeated disruptions on the same stretches of track, increasing both project costs and service interruptions. Separate projects can require different contractors, materials, and planning resources – driving up overall expenditure.
By combining rail and telecom renewal efforts into a cohesive plan, rail operators can achieve significant improvements in operational efficiency, while ensuring minimal disruptions and maximum cost-effectiveness.
Benefits Of Integration
One of the primary benefits of integrating rail and telecom renewals is the ability to streamline scheduling. When both renewals are planned and executed simultaneously, downtime for track maintenance can be used to also carry out telecoms and infrastructure work. This reduces the need for multiple shutdowns or service interruptions.
Integrated renewals allow for shared use of resources, including equipment, labor, and materials. This reduces the need for multiple mobilisations of contractors, machinery, and materials, which can be expensive and inefficient. Additionally, planning both initiatives together can reduce the need for extensive excavation or construction work, resulting in lower operational costs.
Improved Network Performance
Telecom infrastructure plays a crucial role in the efficient management of rail systems, especially as the industry increasingly moves toward digital signaling, predictive maintenance, and real-time tracking of assets. By renewing both track and telecom systems together, rail operators can ensure that they are integrating the latest technologies, creating a more resilient and responsive network. The integration of modern telecom systems with upgraded tracks can enable smoother communication between trains, signaling systems, and operations control centers, enhancing safety and efficiency. We took a closer look how systems such as ETCS (European Train Control System) is being aided by this technology refresh in our article ETCS: How Technology Is Reshaping the Railways
Real-World Case Studies Of Integrated Renewals
The future of rail transportation is closely linked to technological advancements in both track design and telecom systems. Several global rail operators have already seen the benefits of integrating track and telecom renewals.
Deutsche Bahn has undertaken several integrated infrastructure projects where track renewals were paired with upgrades to their digital signaling and communication systems. Germany’s four mobile operators, railway company Deutsche Bahn and the Government signed an agreement to greatly improve 5G service across several routes. This has provided minimum data speeds of 200Mbps across 99% of the counties main routes.
The trend toward integrated rail and telecom renewals is expected to continue to gain momentum as rail networks evolve to meet the demands of modern transportation. Technology advances will further drive the need for more interconnected, data-driven rail systems. As rail operators focus on maximising efficiency and sustainability, the integration of track and telecom systems will be crucial to achieving these goals.
By embracing integrated renewal strategies, rail operators not only improve the immediate performance and cost-effectiveness of their infrastructure but also position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
Using business intelligence tools (such as our rail planning software platform) gives you the confidence to make better decisions, and enhance productivity and efficiency for all of your rail planning projects.
We can help you get the best results and the correct information every time. For more information about our product and to see how using business intelligence can significantly improve your planning for rail maintenance, upgrades and more, contact one of our team today for a demo of our rail planning platform.