A study by Frost and Sullivan has brought out that there is an increased emphasis on digitalisation in the railways to offer better services to passengers as well as logistics companies. There is widespread adoption of technologies like telematics, predictive analysis, sensor technology, and IoT integration to improve safety, maintenance, speed and operations.

Increasingly freight train operators in Europe are retrofitting their large fleets of wagons and locomotives with various sensors and telemetry to track the movement of freight and identify the exact location of freight for a transparent movement and clarity to the customer. They are also installing sensors to monitor the temperature, humidity and other factors to optimise the movement of goods and to minimise wastage among perishable goods.

As far as passenger services are concerned, provision of digital services like on-board wi-fi, entertainment portals, mobile networks and accurate information about the status of trains is adding to passenger comfort and service. A recent analysis by Frost & Sullivan predicts that digitalisation will be one of the major factors driving a 15.2% increase in global passenger traffic and a 19% increase in global freight traffic by 2025.

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