11-04-2023

Royal HaskoningDHV and Lynxx sign long-term framework contract with ProRail for better use of rail with data analytics

With passenger numbers and goods volumes expected to rise by 30% and 50% respectively by 2030, the Dutch rail network is under significant pressure to expand capacity. But network expansion alone isn’t the answer. National rail infrastructure operator ProRail needs smart, efficient ways to use and maintain the rail network.  

Against the backdrop of the energy transition, Royal HaskoningDHV and its partner Lynxx have decided, based on the existing cooperation, to support ProRail to expand the network’s power supply for rail traffic through a data-driven approach. 

Standing: Peter Boom, Director Rail Asset Management and Digitisation Royal HaskoningDHV, Arjen Boersma, Directeur ICT/CIO, Member Executive Board ProRail 
Foreground: Mirjam van Velthuizen – Lormans, CFO ProRail, Anton van der Sanden, Global Director Mobility & Infrastructure Royal HaskoningDHV.
Signing contract with ProRail

Arjen Boersma

The use of data analytics and combining a data-driven approach with significant sector expertise has extra added value for ProRail. That’s exactly what Royal HaskoningDHV offers; and over the coming years, the company will help us to improve travellers’ and shippers’ satisfaction, and enhance our environment.

Arjen BoersmaDirecteur ICT ProRail
ProRail is taking an increasingly data-driven approach to tackle its most pressing challenges using its proprietary Big Data Analytics Platform (BDAP) based on Microsoft Azure. But more capacity and expertise are needed to scale and deploy the proofs-of-concept and pilots its data analytics suggest. ProRail has therefore selected Royal HaskoningDHV and industry expert Lynxx for a framework agreement lasting a minimum of four years.  The combination of Royal HaskoningDHV and Lynxx has been selected as one of the four contracted operators.

Domain knowledge and data science

Royal Haskoning and Lynxx make a strong combination due to the overlap of domain knowledge and data science experience. The only engineering firm among the four contracted operators, Royal HaskoningDHV was selected for its combination of rail industry experience and data science expertise. In addition, Lynxx has extensive experience in applying data science in public transport. Finally, the end-user-focused way of working is also a commonality between the two parties a feature that strengthens the cooperation.

Examples of Royal HaskoningDHV's integrated offering come together in, among other things, the digital twin technology that Royal HaskoningDHV has applied to create a model of the Dutch rail network that maps the current rail infrastructure, stations, and timetables, along with the types of rolling stock used by both ProRail and Dutch rail operators. This lets Royal HaskoningDHV run simulations and test timetable modification scenarios.

Together with ProRail and partners, Lynxx has developed several forecasting models. For example, to estimate the reserves needed to replace rails over 5, 10, and 15 years. Models to predict the failure probability of points and to predict multi-year staffing levels for internal projects are also projects Lynxx is conducting with ProRail.

Smarter electricity with greater availability

Electricity network shortages mean that trains’ speeds are restricted across the network – and it’s a problem that’s set to get worse as the demand for energy increases. But by using data analytics, ProRail's PowerAll project will help find smarter ways to use and manage its ageing traction power supply, and simulate the impacts of infrastructure expansion and renovation. Royal HaskoningDHV's first project with Lynxx for ProRail is an electricity analytics project called PowerAll. The project will feed into the wider smart grid discussion in the Netherlands, looking at intelligent ways to handle peak electricity demand from a diverse range of energy consumers. 

Anton van der Sanden | Royal HaskoningDHV

The potential of data in the rail sector could be gamechanging – offering smarter operations, more efficient maintenance and facilitating a smooth energy transition. We are proud to have been enlisted by ProRail to help shape their use of data analytics over the next four years.

Anton van der SandenGlobal Director Mobility & Infrastructure Royal HaskoningDHV

About Lynxx

Lynxx is a global consultancy firm focused on every aspect of data analysis from data access, visualisation and predictive machine learning models to optimisation and operations research and data engineering. Lynxx has offices in the Netherlands and Australia and operates across a range of sectors, including logistics and mobility. With several years’ experience, Lynxx has a strong reputation in public transport both in the Netherlands and internationally. Lynxx is also a longstanding partner of ProRail, supporting its transition to data-driven working by developing and managing critical dashboards, predictive models, and analytics.
Peter Boom - Director Rail asset management and digitisation

PeterBoom

Director Rail asset management and digitisation