Recent news from tech giant Huawei underlines the growing interest in many regions in the use of communications to enhance transport systems – specifically railways.
According to local press reports, representatives of Huawei and experts from China’s Southwest Jiaotong University recently visited the Chukursay and Nazarbek railway stations in Tashkent to discuss further cooperation on digitising Uzbekistan’s railway sector.
The discussions focused on exchanging experience, strengthening cooperation in digital technologies and advancing previously reached agreements concerning the introduction of train traffic management systems on Uzbekistan’s main railway lines.
The visit took place as part of the implementation of the Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategy, which includes efforts to introduce modern digital technologies across the country’s infrastructure and transport systems.
During the visits, the delegation examined station operations, the current level of digitalisation and the condition of the situation centre.
Participants also reviewed existing business processes related to train traffic management and considered potential technical solutions for modernising the relevant systems.
This isn’t the only recent Huawei-supported rail communications initiative. Just over a week ago Huawei and the Southern African Railways Association (SARA) launched the African Intelligent Rail Initiative (AIRI), a regional collaboration to accelerate the digital transformation of Southern Africa’s railway networks.
The initiative was announced at the 15th SARA Rail Conference & Exhibition, held in Johannesburg from 20 to 22 October, where Huawei also introduced its Intelligent RAIL 2.0 solutions to the Southern African market and participated in discussions on railway modernisation, operational efficiency and regional connectivity.
Coordinated by SARA, the AIRI will promote technical cooperation, knowledge-sharing and the adoption of intelligent technologies across regional railway networks. It will bring together railway operators, technology providers, engineering companies and research institutions to address common industry challenges.
Planned activities include developing an African Intelligent Rail White Paper and technical reference framework, a platform for sharing successful digitalisation projects, an annual best-practice recognition programme, and a joint working group.
The initiative comes as Southern African countries seek to improve the performance of regional freight and passenger networks, strengthen cross-border transport corridors and support trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Huawei also introduced Intelligent RAIL 2.0 to the Southern African market. Developed jointly with industry partners, the portfolio comprises 20 scenario-based solutions covering railway construction, passenger and freight transport, and infrastructure and equipment maintenance.
The solutions combine digital connectivity, intelligent technologies and industry applications to help railway operators improve operational visibility, identify maintenance needs earlier, strengthen safety management, and coordinate freight and passenger
Both initiatives are at an early stage, but both clearly illustrate a growing interest in a number of regions in the potential efficiencies, cost-savings and safety benefits that digitisation could bring to rail transport.
