The integration between Traffic Management (Network Rail) and Stock and Crew (Train Operator) systems undertaken as a pilot with Network Rail’s (NR) Western Route and Great Western Railways (GWR) is a huge step forward in bringing to life the vision for Great British Railways (GBR). This calls for the bringing together of infrastructure and operational objectives by interfacing Traffic Management with resource management systems.
Worldline’s Integrale Control solution, for stock and crew management enables train services to be resourced effectively and manage the dynamics of resourcing the railway, while Resonate’s Luminate solution, used by Network Rail on the Western Route gives controllers and signallers the ability to actively re-plan services caused by service disruption and a wide range of incidents. Combining data from these two solutions has enabled an un-paralleled data-driven level of insight. Sharing data between these two systems via the industry-standard LINX data integration layer provides Luminate users with an immediate view of the resourcing of train service and the resource implication of changes, while Integrale users benefit from immediate notification of train services changes and better forecasts of train service running. This results in a collaborative rapid response that customers deserve to issues through resource reallocation, reducing delays and cancellations.
Eliese Castle, lead Project Manager on behalf of Worldline UK & I covering the integration spoke of her involvement in the project’s delivery: “I am exceptionally proud of being part of the multi-supplier project team that delivered this industry first integration. This pilot project blazes a trail for other Routes to realise the same benefits by interfacing Traffic Management with Crew and Stock, leveraging our already proven business case. It provides a case study for a framework for future cross-industry data integration projects based on principles of agility, uniting under a common project goal and gold-standard business change which ultimately delivered exceptional value for money for the tax payer.“
Worldline UK & I CEO and Chair of Rail Data Council, James Bain, states the importance of data sharing in the years ahead: “The Williams-Shapps Plan is a clarion call to industry to make rail better and we’re proud to be part of a meaningful, practical industry first that’s making that happen, by connecting data to make sure trains have a fighting chance of running on time.
“The open exchange of data is already used in industries and markets across the world to the benefit of consumer and now we’re delivering that for the Great Britain’s railways to improve the customer experience against fierce competition and a fight for recovery.”
The pilot, which began in September 2021 and has recently been extended to close at the end of March 2022, will be concluded with a benefit review paper to be published to the wider industry. Judging by the statement provided by Barry Milsom, Train Service Delivery and Performance Director for Great Western Railway, the results look positive: “We’ve been really impressed by the pilot in the early stages of the roll-out. For the first time we have a single standardised system between the train operator and Network Rail that helps us identify all train performance risks in one place.
“Ultimately, we hope this will mean a more punctual, reliable service for customers. We are looking forward to seeing the results of this pilot scheme next year which will inform our next steps.”
The creation of an upgraded traffic management system combining the capabilities of Luminate with Integrale Control has been a blueprint for how infrastructure and systems operators can work effectively together to support more joined-up decision-making across the Western Route team. Any successfully-run rail network requires collaboration and data-sharing to ensure rail becomes the standard-bearer for efficiency and reliability well into the future, and to secure the government’s ambitious plans for Great British Railways (GBR).
For more information on Integrale and its full range of capabilities, please contact Jamie Palliser at James.palliser@worldline.com.
About Worldline
Worldline [Euronext: WLN] is a global leader in the payments industry and the technology partner of choice for merchants, banks and acquirers. Powered by 20,000 employees in more than 50 countries, Worldline provides its clients with sustainable, trusted and innovative solutions fostering their growth. Services offered by Worldline include instore and online commercial acquiring, highly secure payment transaction processing and numerous digital services. In 2021 Worldline generated a proforma revenue close to 4 billion euros. worldline.com
Corporate purpose
Worldline’s corporate purpose (“raison d’être”) is to design and operate leading digital payment and transactional solutions that enable sustainable economic growth and reinforce trust and security in our societies. Worldline makes them environmentally friendly, widely accessible, and supports social transformation.
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