Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in a number of ways in the railway industry in the UK
1. Predictive maintenance
AI is being used to predict when trains or other railway equipment is likely to fail, allowing maintenance teams to proactively repair or replace components before they cause disruptions.
2. Traffic management
AI is being used to optimize the scheduling and routing of trains, reducing delays and improving efficiency. You can find a case study here on how a signalling company used AI to help trains run on time.
3. Customer service
Some companies are using chatbots and other AI-powered tools to improve the customer experience, for example by providing real-time information about delays or helping passengers plan their journeys. This technology is still in it’s early stages and chatbot responses can be very questionable but is improving all the time. TfL created an AI chatbot to tell you when your train’s delayed.
4. Safety
AI is being used to monitor tracks and trains for potential safety issues, such as identifying potential collisions or alerting maintenance teams to problems with infrastructure.
5. Energy efficiency
AI is being used to optimize the energy consumption of trains, reducing the environmental impact of railway operations.
6. Fraud detection
AI is being used to detect fraudulent activity, such as ticket scalping or the use of fake tickets, and to improve the security of the railway network.
Summary
Overall, the use of AI in the railway industry is helping to improve efficiency, safety, and the customer experience, while also reducing costs and environmental impact. However, there are very clear concerns that may arise amongst staff whose jobs maybe threatened by this technology. It’s impact must be considered for society at large, the negative impact on people’s jobs must be mitagated and avoided. The expertise of existing, experienced and highly railway staff can never be easily replaced with technology. Their skills are essential to a functional and safe railway. It’s crucial to consider the wider implications of using new technology, and not just how it will save railway companies money and increase their profits.