Siemens Mobility: Revolutionising main line, light rail, and metro networks management

We all live in a very connected world. There are said to be over 50 billion connected devices and, in rail, there are tremendous opportunities to realise greater value and to remotely monitor and manage a vast range of assets. Technologies like Siemens Mobility’s Digital Station and Power Manager (DSPM) are a great example. They help to improve safety and performance, as well as reducing costs for both main line railways and light rail tram and metro systems.

The huge volume of data generated in modern systems far exceeds the human capacity to understand, evaluate, and make use of it. Systems are therefore needed to manage the use of this data for the public benefit. These systems must be provided by people who have the right knowledge and experience of both the rail industry and the technology.

The effective operation of railway infrastructure with improved passenger throughput and passenger experience, is greatly assisted with systems such as CCTV, Public Address (PA), Customer Information Systems (CIS), passenger help point & telephony, public Wi-Fi, along with many others. But the volume of data they generate is difficult for individuals to manage. It was not unknown for control room operators to be faced with a row of different terminals on each desk, and they had to move from one to the other using a chair on wheels, operating multiple tracker balls or mouse controls. The systems were not linked and there was hardly any system integration. This reduced efficiency, made training and competence difficult, and increased operating costs. The systems were also not easy to change and develop.

Today, Siemens Mobility’s Digital Station and Power Manager (DSPM) can efficiently integrate a wide range of systems and is a digital control centre for stations, railway electrification, and light rail or metro networks. DSPM is a scalable 21st century Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) platform and can provide automation of equipment such as stairways, lifts, lighting, tunnel ventilation, low voltage (LV) and high voltage (HV) substation control, as well as many other railway environment systems. This offers the rail industry a leading-edge station management, traction power, facilities, and tunnel SCADA solution. It uses Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) equipment, and operates on a robust, flexible, and secure architecture, which makes it easy to maintain and upgrade.

It also connects easily with signalling systems to provide accurate information to passengers on the train service about possible disruptions, through Customer Information Systems (CIS), PA, and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) mobile applications.

The rail industry already has confidence in this new technology, as demonstrated by HS2’s choice to use it as the platform to manage all stations on the new line. The SCADA system will be part of the solution and will enable real-time control and monitoring of railway equipment, which will contribute to HS2’s reliability and efficiency.

Managing increased passengers at stations

Digital station management solutions are already having an impact on increasingly busy stations across the UK.

For example, on the Elizabeth line, passenger journeys looked like they were stabilising at around 17.5 million, but in the first seven months of 2024 passenger numbers increased by 14.4% and, last summer, 18.3 million passengers were carried in July, with more journeys recorded particularly in the morning and early evening peaks.

Thankfully the Elizabeth line has been equipped with technology to manage growing passenger numbers. An integrated Siemens Mobility Digital Station Management system is already being used to run the passenger information management and associated subsystems on the Elizabeth line. The system connects all station management information systems together across multiple stations and gives operators a view of how a station is operating either locally or remotely.

When looking at the whole of the rail network in Great Britain, the latest passenger use report from the ORR records that a total of 420 million journeys were made by rail passengers in the quarter 1 April to 30 June 2024. This is a 7% increase on the 392 million journeys on the same quarter in the previous year (April to June 2023). So, the network is getting busier which is why solutions such as DSPM are needed to safely manage the network.

Innovative station management

Stations can be busy places, and over-crowding can become a safety concern especially in bottleneck areas. In general, since since the Covid-19 pandemic emergency the rail network has attracted increased volumes of leisure travellers, meaning there are more people who are new to station layouts and who may have baggage with them, potentially leading to even more congestion.

DSPM provides a smart way to address these changing passenger needs. For example, by integrating CCTV and PA systems station operators can be automatically informed of areas where crowding is occurring or may occur and can easily make announcements to advise passengers to take alternative routes or stay in designated areas.

The ability for operators to manage assets such as escalators and ticket gates in conjunction with PA announcements also means that passenger flow around stations can be made smoother. For example, when people are leaving work in peak times, more ticket gates can be automatically opened for those entering the station, while fewer are needed for exiting.

With the changing demographic of passengers from commuter to leisure travel, there is also an increased demand for assistance to those with disabilities or complex mobility needs. DSPM can support vulnerable passengers with real time information and mobility assistance guidance, to help navigate what can be a challenging mode of transport.

Optimised decision making

DSPM provides timely and accurate focused data to guide operators swiftly and efficiently. This reduces the need for manual monitoring, which allows operators to focus on the critical tasks while DSPM systems manage routine activities and initiate emergency responses. 

This intelligent data processing capability and cause-and-effect functionality, enhances safety and improves the customer experience by enabling station operators to make smart, data driven decisions. By combining automation and advanced technologies, operators can better manage the complexities of modern rail hubs, ensuring a seamless journey for passengers.

Using DSPM embedded Decision Support System (DSS), operators can also simulate real-life scenarios and devise effective solutions to potential issues so they can be prepared for when these happen for real. It’s all about streamlining decision-making and empowering operators to efficiently manage station operations.

Artificial intelligence

The advent of inexpensive, high-resolution CCTV around stations has led to a growing need to manage the simultaneous monitoring of numerous camera feeds. The volume of information now available can simply be too much at busy stations for human operators to reliably monitor and analyse. This makes it difficult to identify the security threats, and direct resources efficiently.

AI-enabled Video Surveillance Systems (VSS) are now available to help manage these large-scale data streams effectively. AI-powered CCTV cameras now provide intelligent and proactive monitoring capabilities, with the intelligence built into the camera. These can detect and promptly alert operators to suspicious activities, allowing targeted real time responses to potential security threats.

AI-powered analytics enable CCTV systems to prioritise alerts based on threat levels, supporting the efficient allocation of security teams and effective responses to critical incidents. This enables station security teams to handle incidents and investigations, and to work with law enforcement agencies to minimise risks and respond to disruptions effectively.

When integrated through DSPM with other station subsystems, such as PA and Voice Alarm (PAVA) and CIS, AI data integration enables the creation of a cohesive and technologically advanced station environment. This all helps to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Light rail and metro networks management

In the ever-evolving world of urban transportation, light rail, and metro systems, efficiency and reliability are paramount, and with DSPM being flexible Siemens Mobility has developed its product-based Tram Management System. This offers a suite of functions to efficiently manage light rail, metro, or tram operations.

The DSPM Tram Management System uses Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and/or loop technologies to provide real-time vehicle location tracking. This ensures that operators are provided with precise information on vehicle positions, enabling better coordination and management of the rail networks.

Efficient timetable management is also a key part of the DSPM system. This allows operators to easily create, modify, and manage timetable schedules, and to assist services running smoothly and on time. The system train/tram dispatching function optimises the allocation of vehicles to routes, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and services are maintained at optimal levels.

Integration with MaaS applications is also essential and the DSPM system interfaces seamlessly with MaaS customer applications, providing passengers with real-time information and enhancing their travel experience. Accurate estimation of arrival and departure times is a key feature of the DSPM, and it uses real-time data, timetables, and reported delay information to calculate and provide precise arrival times, helping passengers to plan their journeys better.

Timely reporting of delays and failures is crucial for maintaining service reliability, and DSPM automatically detects and reports any deviations from timetable schedules. It includes an electronic reporting tool for drivers and maintenance staff to report any delays or equipment failures allowing for swift corrective interventions to minimise service disruptions.

Performance reporting is vital for continuous improvement and DSPM can provide comprehensive rail network performance reporting, to provide insights into operational efficiency and lessons learned for service improvement.

Communication with passengers is crucial. If people know why their service is disrupted and what the revised schedule is, then they can replan their time accordingly and will be less aggravated by the disruption. The DSPM system integrates with public address systems and vehicle passenger information displays, ensuring that passengers are well-informed throughout their journey. The on-board Passenger Information System (PIS) also keeps passengers updated with real-time information about their journey, including next stops, delays, and other important announcements.

When it comes to security, the DSPM system can also integrate Video Surveillance System (VSS) with advanced video analytics, enhancing safety and security. The intrusion detection and access control features ensure that only authorised personnel can access critical areas, enhancing the overall security of the network. Passenger help points and telephony services can also be integrated into the DSPM system, providing passengers with a direct line of communication both for assistance and information.

One of the important features of the DSPM Tram Management System is its capability to integrate with existing infrastructure. This is achieved by using drivers for third-party specific software development kits and application programming interfaces, allowing for a smooth and efficient integration process. This ensures that the DSPM system can work seamlessly with a wide range of existing systems and technologies, to provide cost effective and sustainable solutions.

The DSPM open architecture is both scalable and future-ready. This means that it can adapt to new technologies and requirements more easily as they emerge, ensuring that the system remains relevant and sustainable in the long term. The open architecture also allows for customisation and expansion, making it a versatile solution for operators.

21st century solution

The UK’s rail network still relies on dated traction power, station, SCADA, and engineering management tools which hold back the industry’s ability to operate efficiently. However, HS2 has the luxury of being able to design and specify a system starting from first principles which is why it has chosen DSPM. It is a leading edge, 21st century technology that can truly transform the passenger experience and operation of the railway.

The synergy achieved by integrating previously unconnected systems is crucial for unlocking the full potential of modern rail systems and station management. This is thanks to the system’s ability to harness data, integrate assets, and provide solutions to empower operators to manage increasingly complex rail systems and busy stations.

DSPM’s ability to adapt and aggregate complex rail systems, as well as railway station requirements makes it indispensable for efficient railway operation and station management. The system operates as a software solution, so it can evolve alongside other technological advancements, ensuring a sustainable future.

This next generation rail systems, SCADA, and station management system will form a major part of HS2’s operation. The new 225km-long high-speed railway that will connect London to the West Midlands will have DSPM at its core. It will provide integrated station information management across all HS2 stations, as well as SCADA technology which will enable real-time control and monitoring of rail systems including tunnel ventilation and the overall engineering management system. Ultimately, this will enhance HS2’s reliability and efficiency while minimising whole life costs through regular upgrades.

Investing over the long term

Systems like DSPM are powerful and will evolve throughout their life to meet the changing operational requirements of a rail, tram or metro network. So, to ensure the systems continue to evolve and improve it is vital that the supplier becomes the infrastructure manager’s technology partner; rather than walking away on handover, or at best become a third line maintenance support agent only called in when the general maintainer can’t repair or modify the system.     In summary, DSPM equips operators with the technology capable of accommodating growing passenger traffic, enabling efficient station management, and ensuring that railway infrastructure and systems operate at peak capacity, both for main lines and light rail. Through continuous innovation and integration, a technology partner like Siemens Mobility can deliver a smarter, greener, more responsive railway environment that enhances the overall passenger experience.

Image credit: Siemens