IoT
Internet of Things
A network of connected sensors, devices and equipment that collect and exchange data to support railway monitoring, maintenance, operations and asset management.
Detailed explanation
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to networks of physical devices equipped with sensors, processors and communication capabilities that allow them to collect, transmit and exchange data.
In railway systems, IoT technologies can connect infrastructure, rolling stock and operational assets to centralized monitoring, analytics or asset-management platforms. Data collected from these devices can provide information about equipment condition, environmental conditions, performance and operational status.
Railway IoT applications can include monitoring of track condition, points and switches, bridges, tunnels, rolling stock components, signalling equipment, traction power assets, stations and environmental conditions.
IoT is particularly useful for condition-based and predictive maintenance. Sensors can continuously measure parameters such as temperature, vibration, current, voltage, displacement, pressure or equipment operating cycles. Analysis of this data can help identify deterioration or abnormal behaviour before equipment failure occurs.
IoT devices may communicate through wired or wireless networks and can interface with cloud platforms, edge-computing systems, SCADA, Building Management Systems (BMS), maintenance management systems and digital asset-management platforms.
Because connected railway devices can form part of operational infrastructure, IoT implementation must consider cybersecurity, communications reliability, data integrity, device management and appropriate separation between business and safety-critical railway networks.
Railway applications
mainline, high_speed, metro, light_rail, freight, depot
Standards and references
ISO/IEC 30141; IEC 62443 series where applicable; relevant communications, cybersecurity, data-management and railway system standards