A new digital traffic management system (TMS) that could reduce reactionary delays by up to 15% is to be trialled between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway. Called ‘Luminate’, the innovative system uses computer algorithms to take into account different types of trains running across the network to forecast their onward journey and highlight any potential conflict or delay.
When it detects a possible disruption, the system then enables real-time replanning to happen quickly, allowing services to be adjusted and put back on track as soon as possible, which minimises delays.
A contract has been signed between Network Rail and British signalling company Resonate to deliver the system. The project to deploy the system has already commenced, and once finished in June 2018 – a trial will then run on the route for a year until 2019.
“Thousands of passengers will benefit from the introduction of this cutting-edge technology that could reduce train delays by up to 15% on the main lines out of London Paddington,” said David Waboso, group managing director for Digital Railway.