29.06.16
BAE Systems helps deliver first industry architecture for Digital Railway
The Digital Railway team has worked with BAE Systems to develop the first iteration of an Industry Architecture that will underpin the digital transformation of the rail network.
BAE Systems, the multinational defence, security and aerospace company, has helped to define the approach to unlock additional capacity by transitioning away from the current command and control approach to a new automatic traffic management solution.
Martin Arter, development director for the Digital Railway programme at Network Rail, who RTM interviewed in the upcoming June/July edition, said: “This is a highly ambitious transformational programme that will revolutionise the way we use our resources. BAE Systems have delivered the first iteration of an industry architecture proving that it can deliver and integrate the required combination of engineering and IT disciplines.
“Their unique mix of capabilities and collaborative approach have been pivotal to the development of this industry transformation programme. This has given us firm foundations for programme planning and ongoing industry engagement to further develop the programme.”
Recently, Mark Carne, Network Rail’s CEO, told the Transport Select Committee, that the move to a digital railway will be the cheapest option for increasing capacity in the railway by up to 40%. The outline business case for the project is expected towards the end of the year.
The heads of major train operating companies (TOCs) also told the Transport Select Committee that they wanted more involvement in the implementation of the digital railway, echoing calls from the ORR for a whole-industry approach to digital railway.
Julian Cracknell, UK Services managing director, BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, said: “The BAE Systems team worked collaboratively as ambassadors for the Digital Railway programme, engaging senior stakeholders throughout the industry to understand their viewpoints and plans. These insights fed into the development of the Concept of Digital Railway, providing a vision for the digital evolution of the railway industry.
“We applied our proven System-of-Systems Engineering and Business Change processes to establish an Industry Architecture and a capability development framework; a first for the UK Rail industry, enabling a coherent approach to the future evolution of the industry.
“As the Digital Railway System Integrator we have played a key role within the programme, delivering significant value to the early development of Digital Railway and look forward to continuing our support in the future.”