Digitalization of rail freight transport

Abstract

Purpose: Increasing demand for freight transport is in direct contrast to climate policy goals. Rail freight can reduce overall emissions if it builds up more market share. To achieve this, the rail sector needs to increase its competitiveness with other modes of transport using digitalization. Thus, the aim of this work is to analyze digitalization measures in rail freight transport. Methodology: As we consider our problem as a multi-attribute decision problem, we measured the importance of different digitalization measures regarding its contribution to improve the overall competitiveness of rail freight transport based on an AHP-approach. Findings: Based on a systematic literature review we identified 17 digitalization measures, which we grouped into four categories: automated train operation, digital maintenance, automated marshalling, and digital access to rail transport services. Out of those categories, automated train operation should be more focused on, followed by digital maintenance. Competitiveness is based on quality improvement, cost reduction and performance improvement out of which quality improvement was considered most important. Thereby reliability as well as time flexibility were considered as equally important by the experts. Originality: The paper gives a detailed overview of the status of digitalization measures available in rail freight.