There is no shortage of new ideas within the rail industry, better technologies are improving all areas of rail travel including route-planning, improved traction and energy efficiency.
This week Mòr takes a look at six innovations in technology that are changing the future of the rail industry.
1. Virtual ticketing methods
The movement away from paper tickets has seen a surge of innovation surrounding ticketing within rail and metro including:
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- Paperless train tickets currently allow passengers to purchase journeys online and travel using the credit or debit card with which they paid.
- Apps have made the use of digital tickets possible, they are simply sent to a mobile device, for use on thousands of routes.
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- Technology emerging in Sweden allows commuters to use futuristic hand implant microchips as train tickets.
- The next mainstream development could well be identification via fingerprint or iris scan. The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) claims that in the future, rail passengers could be charged for journeys using Bluetooth or biometric technology. This would enable fares to be automatically charged, with the potential to radically accelerate commute times.
- Driverless trains.
These intelligent trains could allow for more frequent services, minimal disruptions to services and could save the rail industry an estimated £340 million a year.
2. Drones
Drones can be used to check the condition of railway infrastructure, so maintenance crews can be better utilised. They can also be used as extra surveillance to deter vandalism of the railway and surrounding areas.
3. Driverless trains
These intelligent trains could allow for more frequent services, minimal disruptions to services and could save the rail industry an estimated £340 million a year.
4. Li-Fi
Light Fidelity or Li-Fi transmits data using visible light, meaning wireless communications are able to travel at very high speeds. It is believed it can achieve far greater data density and provide a better service compared to Wi-Fi, which uses radio waves.
5. Onboard entertainment
Passengers on some rail services such as London Midland are now offered entertainment packages which include films, TV programmes, games, sport and magazines onboard their trains.
6. Apps:
Travel apps have grown rapidly, providing excellent resources for travellers, including the ability to:
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- Purchase, download & display tickets on mobile device via JustRide
- Save money by ticket splitting using Tickety Split
- Save time by locating your next train, its platform, and any delays instantly with Rail Commute
- Find the best carriage to be in for the shortest transfer (London) via Tube Exits
