New collaboration and AIP tender make driverless Metro smarter and more reliable

The Copenhagen Metro, Metro Service and Hitachi Rail have concluded a new digital asset management agreement that will run until 2027. Among the goals of the agreement are optimising maintenance and investments in rolling stock and infrastructure over the next 30 years. Purchasing an asset investment planning (AIP) tool is the next milestone, and the tender process for this has just begun.

The Copenhagen Metro has taken a major step in its transition to digital, data-driven decision-making in the asset management area. The Metro's new agreement with operators Metro Service and Hitachi Rail establishes financial and resource obligations for each party for acquiring new IT equipment and personnel resources needed for a common digital asset management system. The system will be used to prioritize maintenance and make decisions about reinvestment and new investments in the future.

"A common digital asset management system will provide crucial support to our core offering: a fast, safe Metro that runs around the clock. Nearly 20 years have passed since we opened our first line. Now, we must develop our capabilities in order to make the necessary decisions and investments in our assets going forward, ensuring that the system operates efficiently in the future. At the moment, we're making digital changes in many other areas as well. These will allow us to optimize the planning of new lines and the maintenance of existing lines, improving operational stability, customer satisfaction, capacity, environmental impact, and other factors needed to support a world-class infrastructure for the benefit of all of Copenhagen," explains Rebekka Nymark, acting CEO of the Copenhagen Metro.

New technology predicts service interruptions

Until now, data on the state of the rolling stock and IT systems was primarily collected through manual processes. Thanks to new investments in technology, the goal now is to transition from traditional maintenance to "condition-based and predictive maintenance," with collected data stored on a shared platform. This will involve integrating data sources from a variety of IT systems, as well as installing sensors on certain elements of trains, stations, and tracks. These sensors will continuously collect data for the Copenhagen Metro and its operators, making it possible to monitor the status of the trains and infrastructure in real time. By combining this with artificial intelligence, the Copenhagen Metro will be able to determine the financially and technically optimal times to repair or replace key system components. The result will be improved system operations and a reduction in unplanned service interruptions.

“Hitachi Rail is proud and excited to collaborate with Metroselskabet and Metro Service to set up a modern and digital asset management as part of an enhanced business model for the 24/7 Operation and Maintenance services on the Copenhagen metro lines. Hitachi Rail will contribute to the DAM project with expertise and technologies in the field of digital and integrated systems, IoT, development of proof of concepts supported by the Hitachi Group’s global digital and technological Lumada solutions. This partnership with the Copenhagen Metro and Metro Service for the digitalization of the maintenance of the metro systems in Copenhagen focuses on improving the passengers service and satisfaction and contributes to the objective of green and sustainable transports in Denmark by 2025,” says Eric Morand, VP Nordics - Hitachi Rail.

"We're pleased to have laid the foundations for our collaboration with the Copenhagen Metro and Hitachi so that we can contribute to the revitalisation of this metro, which is now almost 20 years old. Now, we can concentrate on collecting data and ultimately creating a great flow for ongoing maintenance, improvements, and increased efficiency," says Claudio Cassarino, CEO of Metro Service.

Tender process begun for asset investment planning tool

The Copenhagen Metro has just begun the tender process for an asset investment planning (AIP) tool. AIP will support the Metro's ambitions to make data-driven decisions regarding investments and reinvestments. The system will be chosen based on a common set of expectations for its functionality. Purchasing the system is one of the collaboration's major milestones.

Spotlight on digitalisation in recruitment

For several years now, the Copenhagen Metro has focused on implementing new technological tools in planning, construction and operation. Apart from its digital asset management (DAM), IoT and AIP systems, the Metro also uses building information modelling (BIM), digitalised cable information management (LER, the Danish Register of Underground Cable Owners), and several other systems in its work with contractors, promoting efficient progress. Naturally, this requires continuous training and recruitment of employees with specialised IT and digitalisation skills.

"In recent years, the skill sets we look for in employees have been changing. While we will always have a need for skilled engineers, designers, finance managers, planners, and other traditional construction roles, we now find ourselves seeking out people whose skills include data engineering, test management, 3D visualisation, cybersecurity, and information architecture," says Rebekka Nymark.

Facts

• The collaborative agreement between the Copenhagen Metro, Metro Service and Hitachi Rail will last until 2027
• The tender process for an asset investment planning (AIP) tool will run until 30 May 2022.
• In 2021, the Metro achieved 99.3% operating stability.
• In 2002, the Metro began its first service from Nørreport to Vestamager (M1) and from Nørreport to Lergravsparken (M2). Today, the driverless Metro consists of 39 stations located along 38 km of tracks. The company owns 81 trains.

In a typical week, riders take more than two million rides on the Metro, and this number is expected to grow in the coming years. In January 2022, the Metro completed its billionth trip.