Digital railways: how new innovations can change the approach to rail infrastructure planning

Abstract

One of the current trends in the rail sector in order to reach this intensification of rail connections is the increasing use of digital solutions in the railways. Doing so is often referred to as the transition from analogue to “Digital Rail”. Therefore, this research aims for defining the concept of Digital Rail and examines the conditions in which the concept of Digital Rail can be a realistic alternative to part of the investments needed for the construction of new rail infrastructure and in what way cooperation with public and private parties play a role. This research indicates that there are several advantages and disadvantages to the implementation of the concept of Digital Rail. and that the concept of Digital Rail can be a realistic alternative to part of the investments needed for the construction of new rail infrastructure if four essential conditions are met. If these conditions are met a proper consideration can be made between physical expansion of the rail network and the implementation of Digital Rail. This research indicates that the concept of Digital Rail provides a viable alternative, however, the capacity it generates is in the end linked to the physical capabilities of the rail network.