Digitalization of the Rail Network – Challenging the Traffic Management

Digitization is a global change affecting a variety of social conditions and businesses. In addition to changing products and services in businesses and the labour market, digitization will also create radically new business models in many industries. In Norway, the National Rail Administration will change the existing signalling system with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) for the entire rail network and intro-duce a new national traffic management system (TMS). This leads to several significant challenges as well as opportunities. The aim of this paper is to highlight key challenges and opportunities of digitalization of the rail network, traffic management and design of traffic control centres. The paper summarizes some experiences from other sectors and relevant stakeholders with regard to traffic control and monitoring. Possibilities and challenges of assessing, planning and constructing new rail TMS and control centres are discussed.