On March 26, 2024 our Operations and Quality Director Trevor Beale and Communications Manager Sonja Greschner represented Belvoir Rail at the Rail Forum Digitally Connected Vehicles Event in York, where we were proud to be a sponsoring partner.
The event served as a platform for exploring the transformative potential of digital technology within the railway industry. It featured guest speakers from prominent organisations such as LNER, Northern Trains, RSSB, National Cyber Security Centre, Rail Delivery Group, Porterbrook, GBRTT, Knorr-Bremse, and VTG who shared their insights and expertise.
Every presentation and conversation reinforced the idea that the true power of technology lies in our ability to use it wisely. The event deepened our understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Here are some of our key take aways:
- Adopting a Holistic View of Digital Connectivity: Recognise that digital connectivity extends beyond isolated components. Consider the entire ecosystem - interactions, data flows, and interdependencies to drive performance improvements. Understanding that a holistic perspective of information enables us to address complex challenges, and improve performance.
- Trust and Data Integrity: Trust is the bedrock of effective decision-making. Without trust in data accuracy and reliability, informed choices become precarious. Data integrity is the cornerstone for reliable insights.
- Navigating Digitisation’s Paradox: Digitisation opens doors to innovation, efficiency, and growth, but it’s a double-edged sword. Acknowledge that alongside progress, digitisation introduces vulnerabilities and new avenues for failure. Be prepared to address these risks.
- Continuous Improvement is a Catalyst: Strive for ongoing enhancement. Whether through iterative processes or breakthrough innovations, continuous improvement is a fundamental driver of progress. It’s not just about individual gains; collective progress elevates the entire industry.
- Problem-Solving with Purpose: Deliver outputs that really matter by focusing on solving real-world problems. Outputs should resonate with actual needs and create value.
- Balancing Opportunities and Vulnerabilities: While digitisation offers incredible opportunities, stay vigilant. Digitisation also introduces new vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity concerns are real and present, and proactive measures in safeguarding digital infrastructure throughout the industry and supply chain are crucial.
The event provided an exciting glimpse into the future of rail, where digital technology continues to offer transformative possibilities. Alongside this progress, there was a valuable reminder about the importance of humility in navigating digital complexities. The industry must not be distracted by the allure of technology's superficial benefits and remain grounded in its commitment to progress and innovation.
