[1] Korean and overseas trend in preparing for digital transformation

[2] Technological changes and vision for various sectors, such as rolling stock, infrastructure, and railway electrification

[3] Prestigious K-railway technologies based on digital technology

SEOUL, South Korea – FEBURARY 21 – The Korea Railroad Research Institute (President: Dr. Seok-youn Han) hosted an international seminar to commemorate its 27th anniversary on the topic of Rail Safety and Maintenance Technologies in the Digital Era at Sky31, Lotte World Tower, Seoul on February 22nd.

This seminar reviewed changes in the railway transportation sector, which is undergoing digital transformation, and presented the future of railway transportation, which goes with digital technology and prestigious K-railway technology.

With the title Policy Direction for Railway Safety, Director Jeong Chae-gyo for Railway Safety Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport gave the keynote address.

Director Jeong introduced railway safety measures and policy directives centering around ten major projects, which include a comprehensive railway facility information system, a rolling stock history management system, and a smart maintenance master plan, in order to prevent recurrence of railway accidents.

In particular, he presented major railway research and development topics, such as the increase of railways’ share of transportation, environmental technology to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, digitalization of the railway, application of the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) among European Union members to rolling stock technological standards, and development of key railway technologies, including parts and components for rolling stock and signaling technology.

Regarding overseas cases, there were keynote lectures on European railway policy and technology development direction to predominate future technology in the era of digital transformation.

Luisa Moisio, R&D Director at Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) in the UK, spoke about Rail Safety with Digital Technology and Markus Reinhardt, Head of the Digitization and Automation Department at German Centre for Rail Traffic Research (DZSF), presented on Implementation of Predictive Maintenance for Rail Infrastructure and Vehicles.

There were presentations on seven topics: △Direction of Railways in the Era of Digital Transformation (Presenter: Won Jong-un, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Railroad Research Department), △Railway Infrastructure Maintenance Technology Based on Digital Transformation Technology (Presenter: Kim Hyun-ki, Head of the Advanced Infrastructure Convergence Research Department), △Digital Transformation Technology in Railway Electrification Systems (Presenter: Kim Hyung-cheol, Head of the Electrification System Research Department), △Digital Rolling Stock for Predictive Maintenance and Safety (Presenter: Kwon Seok-jin, Head of the Railroad Vehicle Convergence Research Department),

Digitalization of Railway Maintenance Using e-Um 5G and Cloud (Presenter: Yoon Yong-ki, Head of the Train Control & Communications Research Department), △Data-based Smart Railway Safety Management (Presenter: Park Chan-woo, Head of the System Safety Research Department), and △Real-time Railway Accident Prevention Technology Based on a Digital Safety Monitoring Platform (Presenter: Kim Sang-am, Principal Researcher at the System Safety Research Department).

Won Jong-un, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Railroad Research Department, introduced the current status of railway technology development, such as the need for digital transformation in railway transportation, the current status in Korea and other countries, the digitalization and automation of railway depots for more efficient maintenance of rolling stock, the digital-based maintenance system, and digitalization of the Railway Research Complex in Osong.

Kim Hyung-cheol, Head of the Electrification System Research Department, presented technological solutions for improving electrical energy efficiency in the railway electrification, enhancing safety, optimizing maintenance, and improving operational efficiency through digital transformation.

Kim Hyun-ki, Head of the Advanced Infrastructure Convergence Research Department, presented ten key technological advances in the field of railway infrastructure, such as railway facility maintenance data and introduced technology for improving infrastructure maintenance.

Kwon Seok-jin, Head of the Railroad Vehicle Convergence Research Department, offered observations on the current situation, such as the paradigm shift in the rolling stock operating environment and maintenance technology caused by aging, higher speeds and climate change. He also introduced digital rolling stock maintenance technology, including an integrated platform for urban rolling stock, digital twin for rolling stock, automatic testing and predictive management.

Yoon Yong-ki, Head of the Train Control & Communications Research Department, presented a digital technology roadmap in the field of train control communications, and talked about the development of technology and the construction of a test bed using e-Um 5G specialized for the railway environment, train-to-train (T2T) communication technology, and the development of a cloud computing platform for railway signaling.

Park Chan-woo, Head of the System Safety Research Department, diagnosed the current railway safety management and safety level in Korea. Moreover, he introduced safety data, hazard level evaluation model, a digital transformation model for railway safety management applying safety management systems, and data-based smart railway safety management technology.

Kim Sang-am, Principal Researcher of the System Safety Research Department, analyzed the need for real-time railway hazard management and problems in the current safety management. He also introduced the first digital integrated railway safety monitoring and control system in Korea.

“Digital technology is becoming a key technology that cuts across all fields and is transforming industries,” said KRRI President Dr. Seok-youn Han. “Against this backdrop, railway transport is also undergoing digital transformation in all aspects, including construction, maintenance, control and safety. KRRI will strive to make railway transport a core growth engine that leads digital transformation and creates new value beyond being a faster, safer and more efficient mode of transportation.”

Press Contacts

Yongmook KANG

Korea Railroad Research Institute

ymkang@krri.re.kr

+82 31 460 5184