Transforming Rail Safety: The Power of Location Intelligence in Action at SNCB
Transforming Rail Safety: The Power of Location Intelligence in Action at SNCB
Safety is a cornerstone of SNCB’s operational strategy. As Belgium’s national railway operator, SNCB places significant emphasis on the safety and security of both passengers and staff. CEO Sophie Dutordoir recently stated that all employees' work "deserves respect," highlighting the critical importance SNCB assigns to tackling physical and verbal aggression, fare evasion, and vandalism.
The Challenge
With 1,900 acts of aggression against staff recorded in 2022 alone, a 60% increase since 2019, SNCB has intensified its commitment. Initiatives such as the "Masterplan anti-agression" and the #StopAgressionsSNCB campaign illustrate a clear, strategic prioritisation of safety, reinforced through rigorous data collection and targeted security measures.
Traditional Geographic Information Systems (GIS) often provide static analyses, quickly becoming outdated and isolated from wider business data. To overcome these limitations, SNCB required a dynamic solution, one that could seamlessly integrate with their broader data platform and provide continuous, real-time visualisation of safety incidents.
The Solution
Location intelligence, delivered through Icon Map Pro within Microsoft Power BI, has enabled SNCB to explore spatial patterns previously invisible within conventional reporting tools. Mapping incidents geographically allows SNCB to visualise emerging hotspots and trends, facilitating informed decisions on future resource allocation. Icon Map Pro integrates seamlessly with SNCB's existing data infrastructure, providing a continuously updating, accurate picture of rail safety.
SNCB quickly developed an initial proof-of-value (PoV) using Icon Map Pro, leveraging existing Safety and Security Operations Centre (SOC) data. This data includes reports of aggression, fare evasion, vandalism, and other incidents, all geographically linked to train lines, stations, and even specific track segments.
The solution delivers various mapping visualisations, such as colour-coded routes indicating areas with higher incident frequency, and intuitive icons categorising incident types like graffiti or fare evasion. SNCB also utilises temporal comparisons, enabling year-on-year trend analyses, and multiple filtering levels catering to diverse audiences, from detailed internal analytics to high-level summaries for broader publication.
The business value is significant. SNCB can now strategically deploy security resources, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. Looking ahead, SNCB intends to explore integrating additional datasets, such as demographic data and traffic patterns, as well as potentially expanding analyses to maintenance scheduling and bus replacement services.
Wider Industry Trends and Innovations Across Europe
SNCB’s approach aligns with broader trends in the European rail sector. Operators such as SNCF in France, Deutsche Bahn in Germany, and NS in the Netherlands are similarly prioritising safety through advanced incident mapping and real-time security analytics. Deutsche Bahn’s Corporate Security Platform centralises over 100,000 security incidents annually, enabling immediate, targeted responses. Similarly, NS uses real-time data to deploy additional security personnel precisely when and where needed.
Advanced innovations are also emerging across the industry, with IoT technologies enriching incident data. For instance, AI-analysed CCTV footage can automatically detect and geolocate incidents, offering further potential to improve responsiveness and predictive capability. Such industry initiatives underline the potential for SNCB to further leverage technology-driven strategies.
A Platform for Future Growth
SNCB’s initial exploration of Icon Map Pro represents only the beginning of their journey into advanced location intelligence. By continuously refining and expanding their geospatial analyses, SNCB is set to explore numerous additional areas where location intelligence can bring operational improvements. From enhanced passenger safety to optimised operational efficiency and improved service reliability, the possibilities remain extensive.
SNCB’s proactive stance not only positions them as industry innovators but also demonstrates a clear commitment to delivering safer and more reliable transport experiences. This ongoing initiative underscores the essential role of dynamic, data-driven solutions like Icon Map Pro in modern railway operations.