Optimizing Processes in Rail Freight Transport
In 2015, SBB Cargo AG set a goal to digitize and automate its rail freight transport processes in order to ensure competitiveness in terms of costs, productivity, capacity utilization, and technological sustainability, thereby generating added value for customers. In addition, new, intelligent transportation solutions were intended to strengthen the core business.
To achieve this objective, SBB Cargo turned to 3DSE Management Consultants for support. Using 3DSE’s “Innovation Cell” approach, an interdisciplinary team developed solutions to the challenge within five days. In the first step, the key success factors as well as the main levers and indicators were identified. The next step focused on the customers and their needs and use cases. Building on the insights gathered collaboratively by the team, a total of 16 solution elements were then generated and described in detail. Using these solution elements, three sequential sets of objectives were developed and presented in an implementation roadmap.
Since 2015, SBB Cargo has been working in an agile manner to implement the roadmap it developed for the digitization and automation of rail freight transport. In some cases, new technologies are being developed jointly through partnerships with European national rail companies.
Anja-Maria Sonntag, Head of Transformation Asset at SBB Cargo AG, confirms: “We are pleased that the Innovation Cell, carried out in collaboration with 3DSE, was able to lay the groundwork for this.”
