The new system will enable more accurate monitoring of train drivers’ performance
Railway safety is closely linked to train drivers’ adherence to working hours and effective evaluation of their performance. A project analysis aimed at monitoring train drivers’ performance whilst driving trains, carried out by OLTIS Group in collaboration with ŽSR (Slovak Railways), showed that the current information systems are primarily designed for recording and management of rail transport, rather than for comprehensive monitoring of train drivers’ work activities. Consequently, there was a need to develop a new solution capable of better addressing both the legislative requirements and the operational needs of the railway sector.
At present, data on train drivers is recorded as supplementary information within the national parameters of TSI reports. Whilst this approach allows performance to be recorded whilst the train is in motion, it does not provide a complete picture of the working shift. For example, data on the start and end of a shift, preparation of traction units, administrative tasks, etc., are missing; yet, from the perspective of labour law regulations, these form an integral part of a train driver’s work.
The solution proposed by OLTIS Group offers a new perspective. Instead of monitoring the train as the main focus, attention shifts more to the train drivers and their shift. A key element here is the creation of a separate data model and a new message, TrainDriverShiftMessage (V7001), which will enable recording of the start and end of the shift, individual sections of the journey, assigned traction units and other relevant data. This will enable reliable assessment of compliance with working hours, and breaks and rest periods in accordance with the legislative requirements of the Slovak Republic and the European Union.
The solution will also include the EIN web application, designed primarily for transport operators who do not use data communication via their own information systems. The application will simplify data entry, reduce error rate, and ensure higher quality of data entering the system. All data collected will be processed within the VDS (train dispatching system) environment, which will enable online monitoring of train drivers’ working hours and, where necessary, alert dispatchers to impending breaches of the maximum permitted limits.
The new solution will also lay the groundwork for further development. Future plans include extending the records to cover activities outside of train operations, advanced workload analysis, analytical tools for predicting train drivers’ availability, and the use of modern technologies to identify non-standard situations.
The benefits of implementing this solution lie in increased operational safety, improved quality of recorded data, and the creation of a reliable basis for monitoring compliance with the labour regulations. OLTIS Group is involved in the preparation and design of the software solution; in collaboration with ŽSR, it has devised a concept for the collection, processing, and analysis of data on train drivers’ performance. The result should be a modern tool supporting safe, efficient, and digitised railway operations.