Train companies are growing more committed than ever to providing a high level of user experience, and as a result of that they’re making a concerted effort to share more data than ever before with tech companies in a bid to inform all aspects of train travel from the design of train coaches through to cutting waiting times.
Announced in August, the plan will see data being shared with a variety of tech companies in real time to enhance efficiency and user appeal throughout the rail industry.
The comprehensive effects
The data which is being shared is planned to allow train companies and tech firms to work together to craft more intuitive solutions to problems rail travellers face every day. This applies across a wide spectrum of common train design aspects, from the seating arrangements to onboard facilities.
In an ideal world, this will allow train companies to be predictive rather than reactive, which means they will have the ability to identify and address any problems before they arise rather than being in the position to implement fixes to issues after they have already happened.
The long term plan
Over the following months, more and more data is planned to be shared in a scheme which is expected to continue long into the future, to allow train companies to better plan for delays and disruption and improve the way in which they communicate with train travellers.
This means the goal is to have a much-improved rail network, which will be easier to purchase tickets to travel on as well as to monitor for potential delays, and in time, even have up to date carriage information about train length and seating availability between journeys.
There is also an ambition for improving the way in which data is collected, managed, and used. This will mean standardisation in data collection, which will ultimately further improve the efficiency with which data can be used to implement positive changes.
Ultimately, this alliance between tech companies and train operators will prove to be good news for rail customers.