On November 18, Grid announced that it has begun development on new feature enhancements for its railway optimization solution, "ReNom Railway."
<Overall image of ReNom Railway>
The update introduces a mechanism to automate and integrate data preparation, which is a preliminary step in the planning process, allowing AI to support the entire process from input data processing to optimization. Furthermore, optimization of crew operation plans is added as a new category, enabling advanced optimization of the entire rail transport system.
Railway transportation planning is a highly complex task that involves a wide range of factors, including train operations, rolling stock operations, crew operations, and yard work, and requires meeting a vast number of constraints. Much of this work has relied on the experience of skilled personnel, and has historically required significant effort for data preparation and planning.
Grid is promoting the digital transformation of social infrastructure using AI and digital twin technology, and has achieved efficiency and optimization of railway transportation planning operations through "ReNom Railway." With this update, the aim is to evolve into a more comprehensive railway transportation planning optimization solution by having AI automate and integrate the preliminary data preparation.
Among the update features, the automation and efficiency improvement of input data using AI-OCR allows AI to automatically read and structure various data necessary for planning, such as timetable information, work instructions, and operation records. This streamlines the preparation of input data, which was previously done manually, and significantly shortens the process up to planning.
The newly added prediction function allows AI to automatically generate uncertain scenarios such as train delays and equipment malfunctions, and input them into the optimization plan, thereby supporting the creation of realistic and flexible operational plans.
Furthermore, a new feature for optimizing crew operation plans will be added. In addition to the existing "vehicle operation plans" and "yard work plans," a new optimization function for "crew operation plans" will be implemented. AI will automatically create the optimal route patterns and shift schedules that level out the workload of crew members, meet labor standards, and minimize the number of crew patterns. Automating the creation of crew operation plans will reduce the time required for plan creation, and optimization will also contribute to improving the working environment.
The development of the update function is targeted for completion around October 2026. Grid will promote the practical application and deployment of "ReNom Railway" through collaboration with railway operators, and will continue to consider functional enhancements to support further efficiency and optimization of on-site operations, aiming to develop it into an AI solution that supports the entire railway operation.
