Skip to content

“Systems integration, testing and pilot operations”, An event hosted by Railforum-Review

Systems Integration Event hosted by Railforum

An interesting event on the topic of “systems integration, testing and pilot operations” was hosted by Railforum on 20th of November 2018. Program description of this event can be accessed here. Railforum is a Dutch organization that provides a platform to stakeholders from public transport and railways sector for sharing knowledge, experiences and ideas with each other.  This post is divided into three sections, first section provides a brief summary of main points covered by different speakers during the event and a reflection on their talk. Second section digs deeper into identifying key differences in approaches followed for systems integration and last section mentions some of the best practices of knowledge sharing that were observed during the event. 

Brief summary:

The event started with a brief introduction by the hosts Lex Frunt and Joroen klinkers, head of quality management at the Netherlands Railways and manager system integration at Prorail respectively. They briefly stated their vision for the event and highlighted the importance of systems integration in accordance with their experiences. Afterwards, Frank Bokhorst, a system architect in Prorail, presented his system model applied in Prorail for Netherlands Railways. The model accords an overview of services that need to be provided that include moving people or goods; running trains, making infrastructure and equipment available; and suppling technical systems. Consequently, the model identifies the parties responsible for delivering these services and connection between them. The model provides an eagle’s eye view of the systems integration challenges in rail network. Frank was followed by Ronald Heinis, test manager of north/metro line of Amsterdam. He shed light on the testing procedure of the metro line taking into consideration four different scenarios that include moving of the passengers; driving metro’s; infrastructure and equipment; and technical systems. Consequently, he highlighted some of the areas where integration issues were identified for example fulfilling of the operating targets and dealing with business disruption. Ronald also shared his personal learning experience and stressed to focus on realizing the multidisciplinary aspect of the problem, identifying what is important for governance, testing step by step and clearly defining the integration principles for smooth integration. Just before the tea break Luuk Kessels and Beert Spijkervet both test leaders for new rolling stock at Netherlands railways shared their experiences of introducing Fast Light Innovative Regional Train (FLIRT) trainsets in the Netherlands Railways network. Their talk was an interesting insight into the integration problems faced by them during the introduction phase and the lessons they learnt in that period. Furthermore, they also presented the change in operating and maintenance strategy after incorporating the identified integration challenges, for example the cleaning of toilets based on condition monitoring rather than cleaning them every day which resulted in formulation of a better maintenance plan. Similarly, they are currently reflecting on revising the preventive maintenance cycle for FLIRT trains and executing it after 45 days rather than 30 days which is a consequence of reflecting on and learning from past practices.

The tea break was followed by Henk Cruijssen, a system engineer at Airbus. His presentation was very insightful to realize the challenges that air industry faces from systems engineering perspective. The criticality of having only one chance of launching and low extremity of safety factors gave insight into the nature of challenges that they must confront. Henk later in the panel debate stated that he believes the incremental strategy of systems engineering was the best strategy in his contemplation for air transport industry. Henk was followed by Frank Simmerman a test leader at Rijkswaterstaat, which is the Dutch ministry for water and infrastructure, who stressed on the significance of various tests plans and test readiness reviews that must be realized beforehand for smooth integration of the system elements.

The final session of the event was the panel debate which was moderated by Leo van Dongen, chief technical officer of the Netherlands railways and chair of maintenance engineering at University of Twente. Leo gave a brief introduction about his experiences in the rail industry and how he saw challenges of rail transport evolve with time before opening the floor for questions and answers.

Key differences in approaches:

It was interesting to see different approaches applied by different organizations for systems integration. Many factors can be at play that result in this division. Some of these factors are, but are not limited to, organizational culture, experience of the individual’s in charge, context of systems integration, and intended purpose of integration. For example, Rijkwaterstaat is a government agency that would not only like to have a smooth integration in less time but also have a plan in place if the integration procedure takes more time than originally planned. So, there focus on the presence of “plan B” is understandable and in most cases necessary.

Similarly, organizations like Netherlands railways that regard their passenger’s opinion of the provided service very highly would prefer to go through a through procedure of testing the new rolling stock before committing to introduce it for service. So, the dominant mentality of “promise less deliver more” fits well with the challenges at hand.

Best practices:

I reckon the panel debate was one of the most efficient practice for knowledge sharing and it enabled the audience to interact with the experts in a very effective manner. Several questions were asked by the audience from question related to applicability of Frank’s model for systems integration in European context to the role of organizational culture in safe and smooth systems integration. Furthermore, each presentation was followed by a question from the audience providing a platform to address any confusion developed during the presentation. Such practices facilitate easy sharing and transfer of tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge. I believe such sessions must be encouraged in any organizations that inspire for safe and smooth integration. Furthermore, these sessions should also be documented preferably in video format which will not only facilitate in transferring and sharing of tacit knowledge among organizations but also in compiling a robust body of knowledge for systems integration.

Summing up the event provided an excellent platform to highlight the importance of systems integration in public transport sector. It emphasized the need to work together for systems integration considering it as an ongoing process and provided insight into challenges faced by various organizations in systems integration.

37 thoughts on ““Systems integration, testing and pilot operations”, An event hosted by Railforum-Review”

  1. I wanted to put you the very little remark to be able to thank you the moment again over the remarkable tactics you have provided on this page. This has been simply surprisingly open-handed with you to offer unhampered precisely what most of us would’ve offered for sale for an ebook to help make some money on their own, particularly seeing that you might have tried it in case you desired. Those strategies in addition worked to become good way to know that some people have the identical keenness really like my personal own to realize much more when it comes to this matter. I believe there are several more pleasant sessions up front for people who scan your site.

  2. I am glad for writing to make you know what a magnificent encounter my friend’s girl gained studying your web site. She learned several pieces, which include what it’s like to possess an awesome helping nature to let other folks very easily know just exactly several multifaceted subject matter. You truly exceeded people’s expectations. Thank you for presenting these powerful, safe, explanatory and in addition fun tips about this topic to Kate.

  3. I needed to draft you that tiny remark to say thanks a lot over again just for the nice secrets you have featured in this case. It was really seriously open-handed with you to grant publicly just what many individuals might have offered for an ebook to generate some dough for themselves, mostly now that you might have tried it in case you desired. These principles as well served to be a good way to fully grasp that other people online have the identical fervor much like my personal own to know the truth many more regarding this matter. I am sure there are numerous more pleasant periods in the future for many who looked over your site.

  4. I’m also commenting to let you be aware of of the cool discovery my child encountered checking your blog. She came to understand a lot of details, including how it is like to have a marvelous coaching heart to get folks easily fully grasp a variety of complicated issues. You actually did more than my desires. I appreciate you for delivering such good, dependable, edifying and also cool guidance on that topic to Ethel.

  5. I am glad for writing to make you know what a nice encounter my wife’s girl had studying your web site. She mastered several pieces, which include what it’s like to possess an awesome helping nature to let other individuals with ease know precisely some problematic subject matter. You truly exceeded people’s expectations. Thank you for producing these practical, trusted, informative and in addition fun tips about this topic to Kate.

  6. I’m commenting to let you be aware of of the beneficial discovery my child developed browsing the blog. She came to find a lot of details, including how it is like to have a great coaching character to get certain people completely comprehend a number of complex issues. You actually did more than her desires. I appreciate you for coming up with such effective, dependable, edifying and cool guidance on that topic to Ethel.

  7. I’m commenting to let you be aware of of the amazing discovery my child developed browsing the blog. She came to find a good number of details, including how it is like to have a great coaching character to get a number of people clearly completely grasp a number of advanced issues. You actually did more than her desires. I appreciate you for churning out such beneficial, dependable, edifying and cool guidance on that topic to Emily.

  8. I simply wanted to thank you so much once more. I do not know what I would’ve sorted out without these strategies revealed by you over that subject. It was an absolute horrifying matter in my position, nevertheless spending time with this specialized style you resolved the issue took me to leap with happiness. I will be happy for your service and then sincerely hope you realize what an amazing job you have been providing teaching some other people using your web site. Most likely you haven’t got to know any of us.

  9. I’m also commenting to let you be aware of of the brilliant discovery my child encountered checking the blog. She came to understand a lot of details, including how it is like to have a marvelous coaching character to get certain people completely comprehend a variety of complex issues. You actually did more than her desires. I appreciate you for coming up with such essential, dependable, edifying and cool guidance on that topic to Ethel.

  10. I simply wanted to thank you so much once more. I am not sure the things that I would’ve sorted out without the type of solutions revealed by you over that situation. It truly was an absolute horrifying matter in my opinion, however , spending time with the very specialised style you resolved that made me to leap over gladness. I will be happy for this service and then pray you realize what a great job you happen to be providing teaching people today using your web site. Most likely you have never got to know any of us.

  11. Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your weblog. You have some really good posts and I feel I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please blast me an email if interested. Regards!

  12. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew
    of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
    I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite
    some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.

    Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

    asmr 0mniartist

  13. Fantastic website you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same
    topics discussed in this article? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get feedback from other knowledgeable individuals that share
    the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
    Thank you! asmr 0mniartist

  14. May I simply say what a relief to uncover someone that truly knows what
    they’re talking about on the internet. You actually realize how to bring a problem to light and
    make it important. More people must check this out and understand this side of the story.
    I can’t believe you aren’t more popular
    since you surely have the gift. 0mniartist asmr

  15. scoliosis
    Simply want to say your article is as astonishing.
    The clearness for your put up is simply excellent and that
    i can suppose you are an expert in this subject.
    Well with your permission let me to snatch your feed to keep updated with drawing
    close post. Thanks one million and please continue the rewarding work.
    scoliosis

  16. dating sites
    Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
    The words in your article seem to be running off
    the screen in Safari. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do
    with internet browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.

    The layout look great though! Hope you get the issue
    solved soon. Kudos free dating sites

  17. At this time it sounds like Movable Type is the preferred blogging platform
    out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is
    that what you’re using on your blog?

  18. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your weblog.
    You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like
    to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
    Please send me an email if interested. Thank you!

  19. Hi there, I discovered your site via Google at the same time as searching for
    a related matter, your website came up, it seems good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google
    bookmarks.
    Hello there, just changed into alert to your weblog via Google, and located that
    it’s really informative. I’m gonna be careful for brussels.
    I’ll be grateful should you proceed this in future.
    Numerous other folks can be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

  20. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes
    which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out
    a designer to create your theme? Outstanding work!

  21. Howdy! Someone in my Facebook group shared
    this site with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Exceptional blog and great design.

  22. Hi there I am so excited I found your web site, I really found you by accident,
    while I was browsing on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for
    a marvelous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love
    the theme/design), I don’t have time to read
    through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so
    when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more,
    Please do keep up the excellent work.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *