Legacy rail dispatch systems carry numerous hidden risks which, besides causing operational inefficiency, can potentially lead to safety incidents and compliance failures.

Manual processes, disconnected systems, and siloed reporting compromise network visibility and coordination, resulting in near-misses, schedule disruption, regulatory exposure, reputational risk, increased costs, reduced network capacity, and inability of networks to scale and grow.

In addition, outdated, non-responsive software can heighten the risk of cybersecurity breaches. And if updates are so difficult and time-consuming that rail operators remain on older versions, or a supplier is unable to fix chronic problems, the issue goes beyond system downtime. In many cases, it can lead to an increased risk of ongoing dispatch system failures, not to mention a brake on network innovation, scalability, and ability to adapt to emerging challenges.

The challenge

Operational managers, infrastructure managers, and chief engineers are typically well aware of latent risks within legacy rail dispatch systems and know it’s just a matter of time before problems arise. However, dispatch replacement is often seen as a painful, long, and expensive process – there never seems to be a right time or enough resources. As a result, rail operators often stick with their existing vendor as a ‘safe’ option even if the service is not optimal or effective.

However, rail operators can overestimate the risk of change yet underestimate the risk of standing still. Delaying the shift to a next-gen Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system compounds difficulties, especially when considering the time required for the decision-making process and implementation. To stay ahead, rail leaders often need to think and plan at least three to five years into the future.

If you are not acting when you are aware of the risks, when will you? How far behind are you willing to be in the technology lifecycle, and what level of risk is acceptable?

The Solution

Today’s next-gen CAD systems provide superior visibility over your entire rail network, increasing safe train movements and operational efficiency while reducing latent risks.

As a rail software specialist that has worked with leading rail operators for two decades, Tracsis has developed the Tracsis CAD platform to give dispatchers complete visibility over train movements, track availability, and field conditions so they can make faster, more informed decisions across both signalled and non-signalled environments.

System on CTC

As the core of our Train Movement Control product, Tracsis CAD replaces disconnected systems and manual operations with one digital rail dispatch platform, seamlessly integrating different train types, territories, and rulesets. This streamlines complex workflows and embeds compliance into day-to-day operations, reducing safety incidents and task duplication.

Why are Rail Leaders Choosing Tracsis for Next-Gen CAD Solutions?

1. Ease of implementation with a proven rail software specialist

While upgrading your rail dispatch platform is a major project, Tracsis’ collaborative customer-focused approach and specialist rail software knowledge streamlines the process significantly.

For example, when the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) commissioned a cutting-edge CAD system for the South Shore passenger rail service in Chicago as part of a wider cost-saving initiative, the implementation was as seamless as possible. Under a 10-year agreement, Tracsis became the preferred delivery partner, offering a comprehensive and cost-effective CAD and Back Office Server (BOS) solution.

Tracsis’ involvement began in 2020. Despite the complexities of integrating new software into an active railroad system, Tracsis demonstrated agility and commitment. Key milestones included successful software development and quality assurance, completion of FAT, SAT, LINN, and LIEE testing, federal Railroad Administration (FRA) acceptance, and cutover completed in 2024. The outcomes and ROI included over $5 million (£3.7 million) in cost savings, a future-proofed mainline CAD solution integrated with existing systems, and ongoing, cost-effective and highly responsive service support.

2. Continuous improvement and minimal downtime

Instead of using branched codebases and separate code for each customer, the Tracsis rail dispatch platform operates from a single central code base. This means that we can efficiently deliver continuous improvement to every user, reducing prices for customers.

Our customers are always on the latest software because every improvement is rolled out to everyone as soon as possible (and many of these improvements are made directly in response to customer feedback). Issues are fixed, not deferred, making the process of keeping your software up-to-date easier and mitigating the risks of running outdated systems, such as cybersecurity threats.

3. Global, Long-Standing Reputation for Responsiveness

Tracsis is proud to have developed an exceptional track record for responsiveness not only in product delivery and implementation, but also for our ongoing service contracts.

As a leading global rail software specialist, we have proven success in the UK and North American markets, and a growing international footprint.

Our UK client base includes the UK’s largest rail provider, Network Rail, which operates in one of the world’s most demanding, dense and high-capacity rail networks, as well as passenger and freight Train Operating Companies, the Department for Transport, Transport for London, multiple local authorities, and a wide variety of large engineering and infrastructure companies.

In North America, our clients include Class I railroads, transit operators, short line railroads, and several large rail-served ports and industrials.

The business drives growth both organically and through acquisition; Tracsis has made 17 strategic acquisitions since 2007 to expand our international footprint and enhance the wider Group.

The scale of our operation means reduced risk. Rail operators are dealing with a well-established software company with two decades of specialist rail experience. Tracsis is tapped into the latest international thinking and developments in rail technology, so we are able to innovate and proactively create solutions that address the challenges on the ground for operational managers, infrastructure managers, and rail engineers. We are always working on ways to deliver greater value to our clients, capitalising on strengths and parallel experiences, investing in talent and future-forward products.

Our global footing and collaborative approach has resulted in a trusted reputation among passenger rail and freight rail operators alike. We have demonstrated scalability across short lines moving toward Class I complexity, as well as demonstrated reliability across smaller commuter rail networks moving toward large commuter rail complexity.

4. User-friendly, Highly Configurable, Scalable Software

As rail software experts, we know how to develop and implement dispatch systems which are exceptionally user-friendly, configurable, reliable, and scalable. Our CAD platform is easily integrated with third-party platforms and data-bases, because that’s what our customers want. Reporting and data retrieval are quick and easy, so you are always audit-ready.

Centralised control of all rail network activity on signalled and unsignalled territory

The Tracsis CAD system is a unified application platform that provides a user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the dispatcher to manage all aspects of track authorities.

All functions are initiated from this single user interface application, providing seamless integration with BOS.

The Tracsis Dispatch system UI provides a clear view of information regarding the status of field equipment, such as switches, signals, track circuits, and trains. It includes configurable information layers and flexible display settings to enable a customisable user experience.

Tracsis next-gen CAD integrates SCADA controls into the same screen, enabling dispatchers to see the state of the track, as well as preventing routes to de-energised track. The platform supports multiple rulesets such as GCOR and CROR, making it easy to switch from one ruleset to another.

Multi-tasking for busy dispatchers

Dispatchers can switch between form and dialogue windows without closing them or losing data, while simultaneously lining routes.

Drawings are movable, scalable, and zoomable, with rapid loading times. The dispatcher’s preference for drawing and dialogue layouts can be saved with their user profile so that they can customise their workflow.

The dispatch platform is easily adapted for specific user profiles and workflows: users can be granted full access, access to specific functions, or have a view only profile for embedded security.

Alarms can be automatically filtered so that team members only receive the alarms that are relevant to their work, cutting out unnecessary noise and helping them remain focused.

Graphical Playback feature

The Tracsis Graphical Playback function enables diagnostics of specific recorded incidents. The  Playback module functionality includes features to enable playing at multiple speeds, fast forward, reverse, and pause. The ability to search for a specific date and time is included, making it a powerful diagnostic tool that saves time, improves safety, and boosts efficiency.

Railroad Manager module

Railroad Managers can create, update, remove, assign, reassign, and maintain information applicable to their operations. Typical railroad resources that can be managed with Railroad Manager include train crew, cars, engines, track crew, and trains. Railroad Manager lets the user view train sheet information for a selected territory, as well as information on weather, delays, and dispatcher on duty times.

For instance, the Crew Tab within the resource module provides the capability to view, create, update, and remove information associated with crew personnel resources. By using these and other existing modules and features in conjunction with flexible report generation software, we can produce customer-specific operation forms.

Other Tracsis CAD features are exceptional reliability and performance. server-centric rather than workstation-based, robust OTS functionality and intuitive UI, interoperability, and cloud or on-premises solutions.

Conclusion: Rail Dispatch & Network Visibility

Next-Generation CAD platforms are providing better network visibility than ever before.

Rail operators who are implementing these powerful platforms are already realising the strong ROI in terms of cost savings, efficiencies, compliance, and safety improvements. To remain competitive, rail leaders still relying on outdated legacy systems may need to rethink their approach and embrace the next generation of CAD technology.