#13 Yes We Can: Innovation, Challenges, and the Path Forward

About Babette Babette is a seasoned railway professional and, as an engineer with 15 years in the industry, she is widely recognized for her broad expertise. Her career journey has taken her through diverse roles at a locomotive manufacturer, a leasing company, and a full-service maintenance provider, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the industry. Since 2017, Babette has focused on developing sustainable and successful digital strategies by reimagining processes and supporting railway companies in their digital transformation journey. In complex transformation projects, she seamlessly combines modern technologies, process optimization, and change management across all levels of an organization. Babette is dedicated to helping railway companies streamline their processes, build future-proof organizations, and contribute her expertise to reshape the railway industry for the better. My key take aways Yes We Can: With the right approach, the rail industry can make significant progress and enhance its role in global supply chains. Challenges in Rail Transformation: Despite strong support and investments, the shift towards greener rail transport is slow. Innovation Perspective: Rail innovation should focus on profitability as well as climate goals, becoming a core industry focus. Resource Allocation: Large companies invest in innovation, while smaller ones prioritize daily challenges. Lack of Disruptive Leadership: The rail industry lacks a transformative leader like Tesla, hindering technological adoption. Large-Scale Projects: Projects like ETCS and DAC require at least a decade, and current efforts show limited progress in interoperability. Small-Scale Innovations: Initiatives like digital asset management and autonomous tech offer efficiency gains. Like: Menlo70, OTIF, Railnova Barriers to Change: The industry resists change, blaming infrastructure issues and lacking trust in new solutions. Data and Tech Gaps: Many rail assets lack basic GPS, highlighting a need for better data and technology integration. Fear of Change: Concerns about job loss, control, and regulation stifle innovation. Regulation and Innovation: Regulations provide flexibility, but companies often see them as a burden. Investment Risks: Outdated locomotive technology poses long-term investment risks. Sebastian Sperker [email protected] www.railup.club