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- Can Humans Do It Alone Anymore?European Dreams: Hyperloop and A Single Continental Rail Network
Can Humans Do It Alone Anymore?European Dreams: Hyperloop and A Single Continental Rail Network
Railways And AI:
Can Humans Do It Alone Anymore?
With rising passenger numbers, increasingly complex routes, and tight schedules, railway operations are facing more significant challenges than ever. Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a critical solution to these issues, offering new ways to improve how rail services are planned and delivered.
The International Union of Railways (UIC) has recently published a report, A Journey to Building AI-Enabled Railway Companies, which explores how rail companies across Europe and Asia are adopting AI and generative AI (gen AI). Historically, the rail industry has been slow to embrace digital solutions, but this is changing as AI technologies develop rapidly. The report identifies several use cases where AI is already in use or holds significant potential, giving a clearer picture of what the future could hold for the industry.
AI: More Than Automation
AI in the rail industry goes beyond automating basic processes. Its potential lies in addressing core business priorities, such as improving safety, on-time performance, customer engagement, and operational efficiency. According to the UIC report, rail companies have identified more than 100 possible AI use cases, with around 20 prioritized for implementation based on their potential to drive measurable improvements in these areas.
Some of the most advanced applications include predictive maintenance and autonomous train operations, while others, like energy management and real-time disruption handling, are being explored. By harnessing AI, rail companies can streamline operations and make more data-driven decisions, leading to increased efficiency across the board.
Expanding AI's Reach in Railways
Predictive maintenance has been a standout use case for AI in railways, helping to monitor equipment and infrastructure in real time. This allows companies to address issues before they cause disruptions, reducing both downtime and maintenance costs. Other AI applications include optimizing shift planning, managing rolling stock, and increasing energy efficiency—areas where AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data can have a significant impact.
The UIC report found that about 25% of railway companies surveyed have already scaled multiple AI use cases, while another 35% have at least one or two in place, with more being piloted. This shows that while AI adoption is still in its early stages, there is substantial room for growth.
Technology Behind AI in Rail
NVIDIA’s Jetson platform is a critical component of many AI systems in railways, providing the processing power needed to analyze data in real time. These AI algorithms can make quick decisions, whether it’s detecting obstacles, optimizing schedules, or improving energy use. NVIDIA also offers a toolkit that helps developers and rail operators implement AI solutions faster and more efficiently.
Syslogic, a company with over 30 years of experience in the railway industry, has developed AI-enabled railway computers built on NVIDIA technology. These systems are designed for rugged, real-world conditions and are already being used to manage driving, braking, and track inspections. By combining AI with advanced sensor and camera technologies, rail companies can detect infrastructure issues early, allowing for more proactive maintenance and reducing the risk of accidents.
Unlocking the Potential of AI
The UIC report estimates that AI could unlock between $13 billion and $22 billion in annual value for railway companies worldwide. For a typical €5 billion rail company, AI—especially generative AI—could potentially generate up to €700 million a year in savings and additional revenue. This could come from more efficient revenue management, optimized infrastructure usage, and reductions in labor and maintenance costs. However, the key to realizing these gains lies in successful implementation.
Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption
Railway companies that have successfully scaled AI use cases often share common traits. They prioritize research and development, foster innovation, and build partnerships to advance their technology capabilities. Additionally, they take a business-first approach, ensuring that AI initiatives are aligned with operational goals rather than being driven solely by IT departments.
That said, the industry’s traditional cautious approach—particularly around safety—means that careful consideration of risks is essential. Strong data governance and cybersecurity frameworks are crucial for building trust and ensuring that AI implementations are both safe and reliable.
The Path Ahead for Railways
As AI adoption continues to evolve, the rail industry is moving closer to realizing more advanced applications, such as autonomous trains. While full automation may be years away, the building blocks are already in place, and many rail companies are starting to reap the benefits of AI in their day-to-day operations.
EU’s Hyperloop Dream: Still on the Slow Track?
The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has handed her new Transport Commissioner, Greek politician Apostolos Tzitzikostas, an ambitious challenge—developing the futuristic Hyperloop. But, if the latest test is anything to go by, there’s still a lot of track to lay before this dream becomes reality.
What’s the Hyperloop?
The Hyperloop is a transportation concept where capsules zoom through sealed, airless tubes at mind-blowing speeds—up to 700 km/h, faster than most airplanes. Using magnets to levitate the capsules and eliminating air friction, it promises to be more energy-efficient than trains. Sounds cool, right? Well, the technology is still very much in the lab.
An Idea Whose Time Has (Almost) Come
Tzitzikostas has been tasked with pushing forward a strategy to promote and develop Hyperloop, including timelines and funding plans. At a recent event in the Netherlands, Roel van de Pas, Commercial Director at Hardt Hyperloop, tried to hype it up by quoting Victor Hugo: “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” Still, the time for high-speed levitating capsules may not be right around the corner.
Hardt Hyperloop’s latest test, part of the European Hyperloop Centre’s development program, was a modest success—a capsule zipped 90 meters down a 420-meter tube. But hold on, the vehicle only reached speeds of 30 km/h, not exactly the thrilling 700 km/h that was promised. Plus, the test wasn’t conducted in a vacuum, which is crucial for the technology to work as planned.
The Big Milestone... Kind Of
Van de Pas called the test a milestone, but there’s still a long way to go. The vehicle’s magnetic levitation worked, but other vital elements, like lane-switching and taking corners, haven’t been tested. A first lane-change test is planned for later this year, but even then, the speed won’t exceed 100 km/h.
When will the real deal be ready? Klaus Rudischhauser, Director General of the Hyperloop Development Programme, said full certification and demonstration won’t happen until 2030. So, the Hyperloop is still more of a sci-fi dream than a viable alternative to trains right now.
Hyperloop vs. Rail: A Race for Funds?
The Hyperloop’s big selling points? It's supposedly faster, more energy-efficient, and potentially cheaper to build than traditional rail. The European Hyperloop Centre claims the system consumes 10 times less energy than cars or airplanes and could be easier to install than high-speed rail tracks. Sounds great on paper, but building a Hyperloop network will need massive investment—possibly diverting funds from more tried-and-tested rail transport.
Van de Pas insists there’s no competition between the two modes of transport, positioning Hyperloop capsules as a direct, no-stop service carrying 50 passengers at a time. The idea is for ticket prices to stay competitive, but without a legal framework (the one promised in 2023 is still MIA), this vision remains pretty speculative.
Critics and Cynics
Not everyone’s onboard with the Hyperloop hype. Philip Amaral, Director of Policy at the European Cyclists Federation, wasn’t shy about his skepticism, dubbing the Hyperloop a “failure loop” on LinkedIn, and calling it a "completely dead technological concept."
For van de Pas and the Hyperloop’s advocates, though, it’s not just about the technology—it’s a political solution. If Tzitzikostas clears the upcoming parliamentary hearings, he might just get the ball (or capsule) rolling.
Europe’s Unified Railway Dream: A Single Continental Rail Network by 2030
Europe is on track to create a unified railway system by 2030, aiming to streamline international rail travel across the continent. At a recent meeting in Vilnius, CEOs from 60 European passenger transport companies, alongside the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and the International Union of Railways (UIC), reaffirmed their commitment to this ambitious plan.
The initiative will integrate train timetables, ticketing, and customer service, making it easier for travelers to move across borders by rail. A major focus is the completion of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), a system linking major cities, ports, airports, and rail terminals across the EU. Central to this is the Rail Baltica project, which will connect Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland with the rest of the European rail network, set to be fully operational by 2030.
Lithuania’s Transport and Communications Ministry has confirmed that Lithuania and Poland’s rail gauges will be connected by 2028, further improving cross-border links. The entire Rail Baltica line will link key cities like Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, and Warsaw.
While the vision of a seamless European railway system is ambitious, the commitment to projects like Rail Baltica shows that Europe is serious about better connecting its regions, offering travelers a greener, more efficient alternative to flying. However, with 2030 fast approaching, the success of this grand vision will depend on steady progress and collaboration between member states. Time will tell if Europe can truly get this continental train rolling.