A Challenge-driven Framework for Innovations in Railways

The railway is often perceived as an industry where new technology is not utilised to its full potential. However, the future of the railway and its ability to respond to future transportation demands lies in its ability to adopt, adapt, implement, and integrate emerging technology. These technologies are expected to lead to, e.g. intelligent asset lifecycle management with a whole-life asset approach and digital railway industry supply chain management. The technology transformation and digitalisation affect not only the technical systems, e.g. railway infrastructure and rolling stock, but also regulations, organisations, processes, and individuals. The railway industry needs to recognise the challenges and define strategies, which enable the successful implementation of innovations in railway. Thus, the purpose of this research work is to study, explore, and investigate how implementation of innovations in a multi-stakeholder environment such as railway maintenance, can be facilitated through a systematic approach. Further, the main objective of this research is to develop and provide, a challenge-driven framework that can be used to facilitate implementation of innovations in the Swedish railway. To achieve the purpose of this research, nine (9) descriptive and exploratory case studies have been carried out. In these case studies, issues and challenges have been identified, related to: a) Lead times; b) Complex multi-stakeholder environment; c) Business incentives; d) Governance for data sharing; e) Regulations and maintenance; f) Technology; g) Assessment of innovations; h) Business models; i) Responsibilities, and j) Implementation. To overcome the identified challenges, several artefacts have been developed and provided in this research, i.e. a) A challenge-driven mission-based framework; b) A methodology for evaluating innovations; c) Strategies and guidelines for data governance; d) Strategies and guidelines for innovation in maintenance contracts; and e) Railway domain systemic aspects for the implementation pathway. The findings and artefacts of this study may be used as a framework and a road map in any industry by providing scientific guidance in the implementation of innovations. Some of the expected benefits for organisations are: a) Reduced development and production costs; b) Increased efficiency in testing, implementing, and utilising existing innovations; c) Increased awareness in data sharing; and d) Increased implementation support. Furthermore, in the context of railway maintenance, the artefacts from this study are expected to improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency through facilitating the implementation of innovations that support digitalisation of railway maintenance. The digitalisation of railway maintenance enables fact-based decision support utilising enhanced analytics aimed for nowcasting and forecasting. These capabilities will lead to: a) Improved knowledge and information exchange between railway stakeholders to enable efficient asset management; b) Enhanced condition monitoring; c) Improved risk management; and d) Improved sustainability