Digital Twin in the Railroad Industry
April 13, 1970: NASA astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise were in trouble as the term “Houston, we’ve had a problem…” was famously coined. The proposed Apollo 13 lunar landing mission was aborted early when an oxygen tank failed two days into the mission. The three astronauts were left in peril some 210,000 miles from earth, unable to see the damage to their spacecraft. Houston Mission Control experts used spacecraft simulators, computer programs, real-time data, and astronaut reported information to produce what was, in essence, a “replica (twin)” of the real NASA spacecraft. This was the first occurrence of a digital “twin” analysis being used to correct the forces of a damaged spacecraft. In this case, it involved, and ultimately succeeded in, the safe return to earth for our three astronauts.
The railroad industry is no stranger to the technological revolution. In any industry, an organization's success can be determined by its willingness to embrace technological change and updated efficiencies. Without technological adoption, a company or industry will be left behind by those that embrace the change and modern efficiencies of the industry. “digital twin” is more than a buzzword in technology circles as many are wondering just what a digital twin is.
A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object, system, or process that mirrors the real-world counterpart and is connected through a constant stream of data. It is updated in real-time using data from sensors and other sources, and can be used to simulate, test, monitor, and maintain the physical object. A digital twin can be used to study performance issues and generate possible improvements. In the railroad industry, it is a technology that simulates the actual railroad track, engine, car, vertical structures, signal infrastructure, yard facilities, and more using a digital or 3D smart model tool to perform testing prior to the actual railroad asset incurring that same scenario.
There are four ways digital twin technology is being adopted by the railroad industry.
- Predictive Maintenance: To prevent failures and optimize performance, critical rail assets such as engines, cars, tracks, and other equipment are monitored by digital models. These models can estimate the effects of aging, environmental, and normal wear and tear conditions on the equipment and illustrate when they may need repair or replacement. This assists in proactive maintenance and preventive solutions that could cause service delay for railroad companies. Union Pacific Railroad has used digital twin modeling to predict the condition of various locomotives in real-time and predict maintenance issues before they arise.
- Simulations: Digital twin technology is assisting the railroad industry by simulating different scenarios of train movements to improve efficiencies and scheduling along considerable lengths of track. Norfolk Southern Railway recently used digital twin simulation to reduce fuel consumption and improve on-time performance for their nationwide system.
- Real Estate: Digital twin can track and model right-of-way parcel locations and conditions of assets, such as railcars, locomotives, underground utilities, and other railroad equipment. The model can produce and illuminate key components and values to a railway's real estate assets. It can serve as a predictive tool to determine what parcels are in appraisal, acquisition, or other status tracking property needs.
- Predictive Analytics: Digital twin use along with modern sensing technology, can be used by railways to collect and analyze data with sensors, cameras, and other devices in predictive methods to mitigate risk with operations issues and safety.
Calculative Benefits to Digital Twin Use
- Reduced downtime and maintenance dollars
- Digital twin predictive analysis runs the scenario through the “twin”
- Railway asset maintenance is streamlined and more efficient
- Better production during manufacturing
- During manufacturing of railway assets, infrastructure, and track
- Troubleshoot during the design and production of railroad iron assets
- Optimized supply chain
- Better data on supply chains for railway routes
- Collaborate with real-time customer supply data
- Inventory levels and logistics in the digital twin
- Safety
- Maintain the highest priority for both railway employees, customers, and the public along railroad routes
- Simulate hazardous conditions and test safety measures without putting humans at risk
Summary: Technology advancement, such as digital twin, can assist the railway in predictive analysis, simulations, asset management, and more. This modeling and strategic approach is key to the railroad industry’s advancement. Class I and Short Line railway companies are no stranger to the use of cutting edge technology, but the adoption of digital twin promises that bright, efficient, productive days lie ahead for railways in North America and beyond.
