French mobility major Alstom is bullish on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the rail industry across the globe, including India, and feels that AI has made it easier to ensure safety in the industry. By analyzing data in real-time, systems can detect potential hazards and alert operators. AI-powered cameras can monitor track conditions and alert operators of any abnormalities, preventing derailments. These observations were made by Thameem Kamaldeen, managing director – Signalling and Infrastructure, Alstom India.
He said AI-enabled systems can help in running the autonomous trains of the future and in the smooth running of automatic systems in trains. Automatic trains can operate on segregated tracks and have closed and secure systems and the software establishes a security bubble around trains to ensure proper distance and at the same time help in strong communication between vehicle and infrastructure, Kamaldeen added.
“The Delhi Metro train operates by itself every day. Goes to the resting station at the end of service, does self-tests and gets ready for the operation the next day on its own,” said Kamaldeen.
He observed that images and data are analysed by a machine learning (ML) tool, which automatically classifies the size and type of obstacle (i.e., human, animal, vehicle, rockslide, etc.) and calculates the distance between the train and said obstacle, allowing the operator to take corrective action. In conjunction with appropriate sensor technology, it allows AI computers to automatically detect whether there are any living creatures in the danger zone during shunting operations.
Kamaldeen said predictive and preventive maintenance is one of the railways' most promising digital transformation aspects. The use of AI involves leveraging data collected during equipment operation to identify maintenance issues in real-time, enabling operators to plan repairs accurately. As a result, trains can operate without unexpected service interruptions due to emergency or unnecessary routine maintenance that in turn helps in proactively detecting challenges; and this helps increase reliability, reduce downtime, and minimize repair costs.
He said Alstom has successfully deployed train systems across the globe, including metro systems in Amsterdam, Santiago, Toronto, and Tel Aviv, and at Kochi metro, Jaipur, Lucknow, Delhi Metro, and Bangalore Metro in India. He said AI-based solutions across the globe are also helping in forecasting the occupancy and crowdedness impacts on services, thereby optimizing travel time. “This is achieved through compiling data from different sources and leveraging existing data sources such as ticketing, video, and sensors. AI also helps in integrating external factors and events such as weather, strikes, and sports to optimize travel time. It has the capability to anticipate and control passenger density in real-time, managing fluctuating demand peaks, and controlling passenger flows,” remarked Kamaldeen,
He explained that the future belonged to autonomous trains and the railway industry's next phase of digitalization is the introduction of autonomous rail operations. “Autonomous mobility in railways is a safety and operational enhancement that eliminates guesswork, human error, and variability. This makes railways more reliable, efficient, and accurate. This system is used in combination with automatic train control, automatic train protection, and automatic train supervision, allowing operators to manage their fleets of trains in a more optimal manner.”
He said autonomous trains operate on shared tracks and have the ability to see ahead and around tracks and should be able to communicate and make decisions.
With its presence in 63 countries and a talent base of over 80,000 people from 175 nationalities, Alstom is listed in France and generated revenues of €16.5 billion for the fiscal year ending on 31 March 2023. In India, the company has six industrial sites and four major engineering centres. The company caters to domestic project needs and also many international projects from India with the bulk of its R&D operations at its engineering centre in Bengaluru.