Our Innovation Analysts recently looked into emerging technologies and up-and-coming startups working on solutions for railroads. As there is a large number of startups working on a wide variety of solutions, we decided to share our insights with you. This time, we are taking a look at 4 promising communication solutions.
Heat Map: 4 Top Rail Communication Solutions
For our 4 top picks, we used a data-driven startup scouting approach to identify the most relevant solutions globally. The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights 4 interesting examples out of 69 relevant solutions. Depending on your specific needs, your top picks might look entirely different.
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WiFi Rail – WiFi Enablement
Providing communication services for railways includes passenger WiFi use as well as internet-enabled communication between train stations, trains, and trains and rail infrastructure. Such connected rail networks are smarter in making automated condition-based decisions thus ensuring field workers spend their time on pressing manual tasks.
The US-based company WiFi Rail develops high-speed broadband wireless services with a specific focus on commuter rail lines and WiFi on trains. Instead of incorporating satellite and land-based transmitters which results in slow downloads and dropped service, WiFi Rail’s solution provides real-time wireless access in response to the expanding demands of commuter travelers.
Pod-Trak – Railway Station Upgrades
Many places in the world still operate railway lines that were built many years or even decades ago. It may be 30 to 70 years, and even longer for some regions. Several railway networks are in dire need of modernization, and for many, that also means digitization. Improving communication services in railway stations saves valuable time for passengers and reduces unnecessary loitering and crowding at terminals.
The UK company Pod-Trak provides rail and construction services across the UK and Ireland. They have the experience of working on a wide range of topics such as fiber optic network installation and testing, radio systems, GSMR Installation, 4G communication networks, and SCADA control projects. They also provide station upgrade works like passenger information displays, passenger alarms, CCTV, and Public Address systems.
Argenia Railway Tech – Communication-Based Train Control
Railway signaling has come a long way from block signaling practices of the past. Cellular and WiFi connectivity has opened the doors for communication-based train control (CBTC) systems that make use of telecommunications between the train and track equipment for the management of traffic and infrastructure control. Adopting CBTC also allows operators to track and monitor their trains with greater accuracy.
Canadian company Argenia Railway Technologies develops the SafeNet Positive Train Control and CBTC system integration. Their SafeNet platform can be customized with their Function Block Graphical tool to create a variety of train control systems. Their offering eliminates the need for operators to keep re-creating standardized hardware and software. The communication system connects the locomotive with the trackside equipment while delivering information to the station authority.
Konten Networks – Wireless Communication Network
Traditional communication systems lack the ruggedness required for deployment in harsh railway conditions. This is why startups offer communication hardware tailored for applications in the railway industry. Consequently, train operators and fleet managers are able to enforce reliable connectivity across the infrastructure and avoid accidents.
Taiwanese startup Konten Networks develops industrial networking devices for harsh environments. The startup’s power-over-ethernet (PoE) switches to ensure reliable data streams between the control room and passenger information systems. This allows railway substations and control rooms to transact critical data throughout the communication network.
What About The Other 65 Communication Solutions?
While we believe data is key to creating insights it can be easy to be overwhelmed by it. Our ambition is to create a comprehensive overview and provide actionable innovation intelligence for your Proof of Concept (PoC), partnership, or investment targets. The 4 communication startups showcased above are promising examples out of 69 we analyzed for this article. To identify the most relevant solutions based on your specific criteria and collaboration strategy, get in touch.
