Asset Management & Operations
Managing for tomorrow
Clarity and the right concepts boost infrastructure performance
At one point or another, we have all seen what can happen when infrastructure is disrupted, for example, when a train breaks down. After a power failure that brought down a major railway junction, we developed a concept to optimise power supply processes and management. The focus here was on improving internal communications and introducing clear decision-making processes.
Perfect maintenance and control of infrastructure systems is a challenge for operators – both in terms of organisation and finance. For years now, we have been supporting European infrastructure projects – from high-speed rail transport to urban transport systems. Based on figures, data and facts, we can help companies to make the right decisions, plan for the long term and with foresight, and make the best-possible use of their tight budgets with the help of professional asset management and state-of-the-art concepts.
Punctuality remains one of the most important strategic goals in public transport. To ensure smooth operations, we analyse the causes of deviations and develop measures to ensure that the infrastructure and the vehicles are available and can be reliably provided.
In the case of transnational projects, we repeatedly find that the European internal market poses difficult tasks for all stakeholders, be it politicians or companies. We are constantly on the lookout for recipes for success and can help our clients to implement future-enabled technologies, such as ETCS, which is a fundamental component of a uniform European rail traffic management system.
There is, however, also a lot happening off the track. E-mobility is set to change infrastructure because completely new facilities, such as charging stations, will be needed in large quantities. Innovative technologies are ensuring that infrastructure and operations also undergo digital transformation. We are closely monitoring these trends so that our clients will be well-equipped for what the future holds.
Projects
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Automated operation – benefits and costs in the mainline railway sector
In contrast to urban rail systems worldwide, it is still early days for the digitalisation and automation of mainline railways. Together with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), civity has analysed possible applications and scenarios.
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Digitalisation as an essential success factor for optimal asset management
The Danish railway infrastructure manager Banedanmark is currently exploring the possibilities of a systematic approach to digitalising its asset management. A major milestone on this path is the migration to SAP S/4HANA. civity has significantly supported the necessary decision making.
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Third PRIME Benchmarking Report published
The PRIME Benchmarking Report by rail infrastructure managers led by the European Commission has been published for the third time. civity has been accompanying this project for four years now and is involved in data collection and analysis as well as in the further development of this KPI and benchmarking project.
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Bringing more trains on track: an analysis of challenges and improvement opportunities for European network capacity planning
Increasing the railway traffic is one of the most effective ways for reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector. The EU aims at doubling rail freight traffic and even tripling high-speed passenger traffic by 2050 (Compared to 2015). The German target of doubling all passenger rail traffic by 2030 (Compared to 2019) relies heavily on the implementation of the so-called “Deutschlandtakt”. Through improved train frequency, key routes in long-distance traffic will be connected in a half-hourly cycle. This also means a rethinking of traditional planning principles: while timetabling traditionally followed the existing network capacity, the process of capacity planning will soon be guided by the track access demand. Together with a rigorous network expansion, optimising the use of existing network capacity will be key for achieving the ambitious traffic targets.