Process Optimisation of Rail System Development for Automation of Cargo Operations
Mobility Initiative Project
Safe and efficient railway systems traditionally rely on centralised control and human-in-the-loop monitoring of its moving parts. However, this requires large amounts of resources for the network operation. Operators, responsible for implementing system developments based on innovative technologies to improve operational efficiency, must adhere to safety requirements for scalable and well-documented solutions to acquire regulatory approval. This requires consideration of multiple stakeholders and a highly complex conceptualisation process guaranteeing railway system safety. This involves significant expertise and coordination with the content of approximately 50-80 interconnected documents for a development of a new system, depending on the complexity of the technology. Over the long-duration development process, adjustments to the solution may be necessary. Accordingly, changes to the interdependent documentation to ensure ongoing compliance with safety requirements would also be necessary. Any changes can trigger cascading effects throughout the entire project, potentially increasing costs and delaying development, ultimately slowing down innovation within the railway system.
System development processes supported by digital tools can enable a streamlined approval for safety-critical railway systems and lead to improved operational efficiency. Based on this vision, this project aims to identify opportunities for integrating digital tools into railway system development processes leading to improved efficiency. This project will first include analysis of the system development process at SBB Cargo. Second, reflect on European system development based on the example of European Train Control System development and further explore process-enhancing digital tools, e.g., large language models, which could support the System Engineering team in creating safety documentation requirements more efficiently. Third, this project will report on the system development process and then identify and preliminarily assess the potential for implementing digital tools and the necessary procedural changes for improving system development. This project will move SBB an important first step towards an efficient development of safety-critical railway systems.
