Network Rail Selects Cognizant to Help Make Railways Safer, with Data-Driven Operations

Cognizant has received a five-year contract from Network Rail, a British Rail Infrastructure Company to lead consortium as a part of the Intelligent Infrastructure transformation program.

Network Rail will leverage Cognizant's digital capabilities in the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, and Mobility Technologies to improve its asset management. The solutions will further make railway operations efficient and safer with data-driven operations, according to the announcement.

The deal from the railway company has been struck with a consortium of companies, which includes the rail specialist Amey Consulting and Arup, apart from Cognizant.

The artificial intelligence-powered capabilities will help Network Rail with real-time condition monitoring and data-driven insights.  Further, it will also help to improve decision making.

Intelligent Infrastructure Director, Network Rail, Jacqueline Young, said, "To fulfill our ambition, we need to adopt a strong partnership model that harnesses expertise from across the industry. We are forming a network of partnerships that will drive transformation across the railway, improving life for colleagues, working every day to maintain and renew our infrastructure, and ultimately providing a safe and reliable railway for the millions of passengers who depend on us every day."

President, Global Growth Markets, Cognizant, Santosh Thomas, said, "Industry estimates indicate passenger demand for rail will more than double over the next couple of decades, with freight demand rising as much as 140 percent. This is driving the need for new approaches in asset management – the ability to take a 'predict and prevent' approach to maintenance and shaping a smarter, more efficient, cost-effective approach to whole life asset management."

The larger aim for the Network Rail is to enhance more safety by predicting and preventing maintenance issues and minimizing the time rail workers spend on the tracks. The other areas of improvement being looked at are lowering the costs and prioritizing work streams, notes the announcement.

This marks a second collaboration between the companies. In the year 2013, Network Rail has selected the software major as an IT solutions and Systems Integration Framework partner.

Network Rail operates and develops more than 20000 miles of track, 30000 bridges, viaducts and tunnels, and thousands of signals, stations, and level crossings, of the British Railway Infrastructure.

PC: Pablo, Pixabay