To understand the art of what is possible and to deliver the aspiration, a strategy is required. D2 Rail can help to develop network access strategies that cover all aspects of train service development, engineering access and performance analysis as well as impact assessments for rolling stock and train crew. We have experience of looking at the ‘big picture’ to support the delivery of major rail schemes.
The development of the timetable needs to consider commercial, operational and infrastructure requirements in order to understand what is possible. Through the use of established timetable planning tools and our operational knowledge, D2 Rail are able to develop high level standard hour timetables for both large and small projects.
The development of a capacity study looks at the combination of a timetable with infrastructure requirements, in order to deliver a production quality timetable solution that takes into consideration the vying priorities of operators, contractual requirements and engineering access. Our team has experience of developing capacity studies for large projects such as Northern Hub, Thameslink and Crossrail, through to more bespoke solutions that consider the introduction of a new station or a service pattern change.
Changes to infrastructure during both minor and major projects will ultimately have an effect on what train services can be delivered. Using standard and innovative modelling techniques, D2 Rail are able to understand what running times or numbers of trains per hour can be operated over a specific infrastructure design. We are able to understand what new timetable planning rules could be implemented, as well as whether an existing or new timetable could be operated. All infrastructure changes require modelling to support Network Rail GRIP process and we are happy to provide support in this area, as well as clarity with all the relevant industry processes and timetables at levels from standard hour, through to production quality.
D2 Rail has significant experience in undertaking performance modelling for both UK and international markets, using operational modelling tools such as RailSys and VISION. In addition, we have experience in supporting our clients with bespoke performance models to provide help during franchise bidding and contract negotiations. D2 Rail’s in-house software developers can provide additional support to improve techniques that can automate some of the data intensive tasks associated with modelling.
Both operators and authorities use data from performance regimes to understand past, current and predict future developments. D2 Rail can provide support to authorities to assist with re-calibration as well as providing analytics to help operators to display and interrogate any underlying trends. We have experience in using tools such as Power Bi, R and Python to automate performance dashboards and outputs.
There is a huge amount of data available in the rail industry. Combining data in and out of the public domain, understanding and then utilising this data is often seen as skill of its own. The combination of data mining expertise and rail operations know-how allows D2 Rail to understand the story behind the headline. We can help to tease out areas of improvement, however big or small, to deliver and report on a better performing railway.
