How to get data for Digital Services to avoid breakdowns and save money

To put it simply, the challenge is to have up-to-date information of every system in the rail network at all times. To do this, these systems must generate and provide data on a constant basis. The ability to automatically collect data from the real world by means of sensor technology is important. Therefore, innovative technologies are needed, not only to identify rail systems unambiguously, but also to generate additional data about rolling stock and infrastructure.

Modern rail systems are equipped with a range of sensor technologies to constantly record information about trains, locomotives, and infrastructure. This includes the temperature of axle bearings, vibrations in bogies, and the currents passing through points mechanisms. This data can be transmitted securely at any time by means of mobile networks or control technology. Even systems that are coming to the end of their lifecycle can be upgraded by adding appropriate sensors and connectivity solutions to allow data to be generated. Thanks to MindConnect Rail, Siemens Mobility is able to offer the ideal solution for any system.

One example showing the benefit of retrofit solutions for recording and transmitting system data and establishing connectivity for existing infrastructure components is our Digital Service for stray current. With MindConnect Rail existing substations are upgraded with sensors to generate data of voltage and temperature. The sensor data is sent from the substation automatically and securely to the Mobility Application Suite Railigent. There, the data is analyzed to identify stray current. Network operators can observe stray currents directly online via Railigent to avoid heavy corrosions that weaken metal constructions like bridges.