Safer Railways, Smarter Planning: A Global Approach to Digital Safety

Rail continues to be one of the safest modes of transport, supported by decades of investment in infrastructure, standards and training.

Yet, despite progress, serious incidents still occur. In 2023, for example, the European Union Agency for Railways recorded 1,565 significant accidents, resulting in 841 fatalities and 650 serious injuries. These figures, while EU-based, reflect a broader global truth: although safety has improved, more can be done. Particularly in worker safety and safe work planning.

As the rail industry adapts to increased passenger volumes, climate-related risks and evolving workforce skills, the importance of integrated, digital safety tools is growing. Operational digitalisation is no longer a future ambition. It is already well established in countries like the UK and is now becoming a strategic priority in rail networks around the world, from Europe to the Middle East, Asia and beyond. Digital safety systems provide real-time visibility, improve compliance and reduce the burden on frontline workers and managers alike.

A Catalyst for Safer Planning

Following a serious safety incident in 2019, Network Rail launched the Planning for Delivery (P4D) programme, a national initiative to transform how work is authorised, communicated and executed across the network.

This marked a turning point in the UK industry’s approach to safe work planning. It became clear that more collaborative, transparent and digital methods were needed to reduce risk and improve frontline safety.

To support this transformation, Tracsis, in collaboration with Network Rail and EY, developed RailHub. The platform was designed to digitise and streamline the planning and delivery of work on or near the railway. Today, RailHub empowers planners, responsible managers and frontline staff to collaborate more efficiently while maintaining full alignment with industry safety standards. It is now widely used across the UK and plays a central role in modernising the rail industry’s safety culture.

Why Tools Like RailHub Matter

Despite ongoing advancements in infrastructure and system-level safety, many rail organisations still struggle with fragmented planning tools, inconsistent workflows and paper-based processes. These challenges not only reduce efficiency and hinder compliance but also make it harder to create safe working environments for frontline staff.

RailHub solves these problems by providing a central, digital workspace for safe work planning. It enables teams to produce fully compliant Safe Work Packs also known as Safe Work Permits efficiently, integrate live hazard data, use industry-standard forms and securely sign off tasks from mobile devices in the field. Its design ensures consistency, traceability and full alignment with rail safety standards.

Integration with live hazard data and other key reference materials ensures that rail workers are working from the same, most up-to-date information. From planning to execution and reporting, RailHub supports end-to-end safety management.

Building Proactive, Data-Driven Safety

RailHub also contributes to a more proactive approach to safety. With built-in reporting tools powered by Power BI, operators can identify trends, highlight risks and improve performance across teams and locations.

This data can be used to inform safety strategies, enhance training and ensure lessons are learned across the organisation.

This approach aligns closely with universal safety goals, including better incident reporting, harmonised safety metrics, and the adoption of consistent frameworks for assessing safety levels and performance.

Driving Safety and Innovation in Global Rail Projects

Across Europe, major projects are driving rail modernisation, with digital transformation and safety at the heart of infrastructure upgrades. In the Middle East, rapid ecomic growth and investment in transformative transport networks are positioning the region as a leading force in global connectivity. In both regions, digital safety tools like RailHub play a vital role in creating safeworking environments that support long-term sustainability, efficiency and resilience.

With RailHub proven in the UK, we are now introducing it to international markets, including Europe and the Middle East. Its modular, configurable design makes it adaptable to tional standards, languages and operating procedures.

Whether aligning with international frameworks or local regulatory systems, RailHub can be tailored to meet the unique needs of any railway network.

Our approach is collaborative. We work closely with customers to co-design and implement digital safety solutions that dign with their goals, teams, and operational systems.

Let’s build a safer, more connected railway together.