Get IT right

This article reports on a new operational strategy being put forth by the UK's Network Rail that includes traffic management systems aimed at realizing performance improvements. The strategy brings together operational control and signalling control to improve performance, joining route-wide automation and decision support; however, the author describes a number of challenges that may accompany the strategy's implementation. She highlights the outdated technology being used for the prototype systems, suggesting that, by using these technologies, innovation will be stifled, competition will be limited by vendor lock-in, and future procurement decisions on the railway will be impacted. The author also criticizes the slow implementation plan for the traffic management program and makes the claim that accelerating the implementation will deliver benefits for passengers more quickly and bring about £1 billion in savings. The article suggests an independent economic and technical review of all options to protect against a procurement disaster that impacts railway performance into the future.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/49957551
• Authors:
  • Matthews, Anna
• Publication Date: 2014-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: pp 83, 85
• Serial:
  • Rail Professional
  • Volume: 200
  • Publisher: Cambridge Publishers Limited
  • ISSN: 1476-2196
  • Serial URL: http://www.cpl.biz/ourwork/general/rp.htm

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Highway traffic control; Procurement; Traffic signal control systems; Transportation operations
• Identifier Terms: Network Rail (Firm)
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Public Transportation; Railroads; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01526244
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 28 2014 3:24PM