
Data preparation is crucial
Digitalization, including simulations and innovative sensor technology for data collection, has sparked high interest at Vienna Lines. "We want to learn methods for digitally capturing railway system components. In Rail4Future, it becomes evident that preparing the data pipeline for full automation requires significant effort", explains DI Mag. Harald Andrée, sharing his experiences in the project.
Flexible model
The simulation model developed as part of the project aims to consider historical and future vehicle types, various travel time intervals, and passenger occupancy levels (e.g., 25/50/75/100% of possible passengers) in assessing the condition of the infrastructure, as DI Andrée specifies the research work in the project. Eventually, the model will be fed with data from other bridges to generate a network-wide overview of infrastructure condition.
Added value through user orientation
Providing visualizations with different levels of detail for experts and executives is seen as the "greatest added value". "Decision-makers can use virtual assessments to distribute existing resources most effectively. This allows comparing the effects of environmental factors with the necessary resources, essential for the environmentally friendly and efficient operation of the rail transport network", emphasizes DI Andrée.
Wiener Linien
The Wiener Linien GmbH & Co KG is the municipal transport operator of Vienna, the capital of Austria, and a part of Wiener Stadtwerke GmbH. As the largest public transportation company in Austria, the Vienna Lines operate a network of subway, buses, and trams in Vienna, serving nearly two million passengers daily.
As a modern mobility service provider, Wener Linien promote the expansion of public transport (ÖFFI), such as the current U2xU5 expansion, and the integration of mobility forms with sharing services like "WienMobil Auto" or "WienMobil Rad". In Vienna, more people possess an Öffi annual pass than their own cars.

With his business and technical background, Harald Andrée connects data and people across departments in the field of infrastructure management.