Since the middle of this year, over 200 train drivers working for SNCB Logistics have received a tablet computer. SNCB Logistics is the first railway operator to provide this kind of digital tool for better two-way communication in real-time. The tablet not only provides information faster to the drivers; they can also give immediate feedback about the progress of their journey. This initiative is part of a wider range of measures that SNCB Logistics, a private rail freight operator, is carrying out to improve the safety, quality and productivity of its services.

“Paperless” driver’s cab: saving time and back-strain

Train drivers perform a safety function, and while working, must carry the necessary documents, such as regulations, breakdown manuals, train-set manuals and details of changes to timetables and routes. They used to carry all of this around in a backpack weighing several kilos. In addition, during their shift, they had to complete a number of paper forms, such as the time sheet and driver’s report.
To increase the convenience of the drivers’ work, and to manage information in a smarter way, the RITA project (Rail Information Train Assistant) was started in April last year. The objective was to incorporate all the offline documentation into a lightweight tablet computer within a year. Several departments worked closely together and the drivers were constantly involved during the various test phases. In February 2013, the first tablets were allocated. Today, all drivers have a RITA tablet. New applications are constantly being added to the software.

(Source: press release, SNCB Logistics)