BUILDING AUTOMATION
How digital transformation is enhancing the rail travel experience
Phil Daniell, Vice President and General Manager – Honeywell Building Automation, Middle East, Turkey and Africa
The Middle East and North Africa have joined the global sustainability movement and are now ramping up efforts. A key part of this shift is the launch of large-scale rail projects that reduce energy consumption and emissions while enhancing travel speed, reliability and passenger comfort.
Studies show that opting for train travel over flying can reduce your carbon footprint by approximately 86% [i]. Beyond the environmental benefits, these rail projects are impressive for their use of cutting-edge digital technologies, highlighting how digital transformation is shaping the future of mobility.
Investment in rail is growing
Egypt is currently building a 2,000-kilometer high-speed electrified rail network [ii] that will connect the country’s main economic and tourist areas. The overarching goal of the project is to make long-distance transport faster, safer, more affordable and more sustainable – travel on the network will produce 70% less emissions [iii] than auto and bus travel.
Meanwhile, the Gulf Railway, now under construction in the Middle East, is a 2,177-kilometer network [iv] connecting the six Gulf Cooperation Council states: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Oman. It aims to boost economic growth by improving transportation efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while offering a more sustainable travel option. In Saudi Arabia, additional transformative projects such as the Riyadh Metro and the Saudi Landbridge — a railway linking the port cities of Jeddah, Dammam and Jubail to Riyadh — will significantly enhance domestic and regional connectivity, facilitating faster movement of goods and passengers across the region.
As Middle Eastern and North African countries modernize and expand rail networks for better connectivity and sustainability, Honeywell is playing a key role in advancing these projects.
Honeywell’s role in accelerating the rail revolution
Digital transformation is redefining the rail travel experience. Honeywell is at the forefront of this shift as a master systems integrator (MSI) in the rail industry. By working with ecosystem partners who provide essential subsystems — such as passenger information systems and mobile applications —Honeywell has positioned itself to integrate both in-house and third-party products. This includes critical components like energy performance monitoring, infrastructure surveillance, command and control systems, and smart city solutions — all essential for modern rail infrastructure.
Authorities are focusing on sustainable, long-term cost-effectiveness in their infrastructure operations. Honeywell helps achieve this by incorporating key performance indicators that drive efficiency and by aligning with the strategic goals of these authorities, establishing itself as a trusted partner in station, depot, and substation integration. Its smart city solutions, particularly in Mobility as a Service (MaaS), promote a shift from car dependency to public transit, fostering sustainable urban mobility.
Here are four strategies that Honeywell employs to assist rail authorities in the Middle East, North Africa and worldwide to enhance the security, reliability, speed and sustainability of rail transportation.
1: Smoother operation via smart analytics
Video analytics are key to rail modernization, enabling real-time monitoring of high-traffic areas to reduce foot traffic friction and manage crowd control instantly. If cameras detect congestion, operators can reroute passengers efficiently. Radar-enabled surveillance helps rail authorities identify security threats before they escalate. This improves passenger safety by mitigating potential threats early. Honeywell’s smart video analytics also detect objects or people on tracks or in tunnels, preventing accidents or delays.
2: Energy-efficient stations
Honeywell’s Building Management System (BMS) is designed to provide station managers with a unified view of information and resources. Whether stations run 24/7 or on limited schedules, BMS helps prevent unnecessary energy use, like running air conditioning when not needed. By using real-time and scheduled occupancy data, along with current and forecasted weather, BMS adjusts the station environment efficiently, helping to reduce energy consumption and wear on assets.
3: Cleaner, healthier air via multi-sensing technology
Clean air in stations helps reduce airborne illnesses and improves comfort for travelers. Honeywell’s air quality sensors can collect data on air pollutants and particulates, feeding this information into the BMS, which can automatically adjust to help improve air quality. Honeywell’s Healthy Building Dashboards also provide reassurance by displaying real-time data on air quality and capacity levels, helping to create a healthier and safer environment for both staff and passengers.
4: Fire safety via next-gen detection
Honeywell offers industrial-grade fire and smoke detectors, along with other detection units, which are designed to enhance public safety and protection of critical equipment in train stations. The latest generation of smoke detectors employs advanced technologies for early and accurate smoke detection. Additionally, Honeywell’s Fire Alarm Aspiration Sensing Technology (FAAST) [AA1] helps safeguard passengers and assets in challenging environments where standard detection methods may fail or trigger false alarms.
Taking rail travel from acceptable to exceptional
The digital transformation of rail travel in the Middle East and North Africa is not just a response to the sustainability movement; it is a bold step toward a more efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly transportation system. With help from Honeywell, rail authorities are now better equipped to meet the demands of modern travel — from the moment passengers set foot on railway property until they arrive at their destination.
[i] Our World in Data, Which form of transport has the smallest carbon footprint? [Accessed June 28, 2004]
[ii] Railvolution, Contract For A 2,000 km High-Speed Rail System In Egypt Finalised [Accessed June 28, 2004]
[iii] Railway Technology, High-Speed Rail Systems, Egypt [Accessed June 28, 2004]
[iv] Oxford Business Group, How the GCC Railway could revolutionise trade and transport in the Gulf [Accessed June 28, 2004]
