"Since Mayor Chang San-Cheng took office, there has been a strong focus on Technological Governance for City Administration and Intelligent Public Services, aiming to introduce advanced technology to enhance public services and improve residents' quality of life. The primary goal of the 5G Smart Railway Project is to enhance the safety, efficiency, and intelligence of rail transport. By leveraging technology, we can also assist colleagues in handling maintenance tasks more efficiently, reducing stress and workload," stated Yang Kuo-Bin, Assistant Engineer at the Maintenance Division of Taoyuan Metro Corporation (TMC), when introducing the concept of the 5G Smart Railway Project.
TMC actively supports the Railway Bureau's Smart Railway Development Policy by implementing the "5G Smart Railway Transport and Monitoring Environment Plan." Utilizing 5G high-speed broadband networks in designated project test fields, TMC has recently focused on establishing the "Taoyuan Metro Cloud Computing Platform," launching multiple IoT application projects, and initiating 5G capability demonstration projects, such as real-time operational data transmission, automatic anomaly alerts, and unmanned stations.
Embracing Smart Management to Predict Equipment Lifecycle
"Rail transport comprises numerous complex systems. How can we rely on intelligent technology and data to address work challenges rather than relying solely on intuition? Our company uses a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system, a central data collection system that displays the operational status of various equipment. It also enables predictive maintenance, allowing us to anticipate potential failures and take preemptive action," Yang elaborated.
TMC has moved away from traditional closed-system architectures, adopting an end-network-cloud design to integrate IT, OT, IoT, and 5G wireless networks. By collecting extensive data such as control commands, temperature, voltage, current, and passenger volume, the system uploads this data to a cloud platform. Following standardized classification guidelines set by the Railway Bureau, TMC achieves data integration and real-time sharing through subscription and publishing technologies.
"Previously, traditional maintenance methods were more reactive, addressing issues only after failures occurred. Not every colleague has the experience of seasoned technicians to quickly pinpoint issues. This project establishes data collection and analysis capabilities, allowing us to predict and adjust maintenance plans with greater accuracy. Overall, 5G technology has enhanced the operational efficiency of the rail system while making maintenance work more scientific and intelligent," Yang emphasized.
Driving Innovation Through Internal Competitions
"Initially, colleagues used Excel for basic data analysis, but its capabilities were limited, and sharing results was challenging. Under the leadership of General Manager Chuang Ying-Chen, we introduced Microsoft Power BI. Initially, most colleagues were unfamiliar with this tool. Through training sessions and competitions with monetary rewards, colleagues were motivated to self-learn and develop innovative solutions. Eventually, various departments created Power BI dashboards tailored to their work challenges," Yang shared.
Cross-departmental collaboration and coordination often pose significant challenges, requiring close cooperation among various units to address technical and operational issues. Taoyuan Metro Corporation facilitates this process through an open platform environment, standardized data exchange, and intelligent management functions. These features enable experts and researchers from diverse fields to collaborate and innovate more effectively. By integrating data analysis and intelligent algorithms, the system provides more accurate transportation demand forecasting and management, helping optimize operational plans, enhance transport efficiency, and improve both passenger experience and safety.
"Operation as Inspection" Creating a Safe and Comfortable Riding Environment
Leveraging IoT technologies, TMC monitors operational and maintenance data in real-time. For example, every train is equipped with air springs to adjust the train’s level. Sensors detect pressure levels, which, when abnormal, could lead to tilting trains and reduced passenger comfort. "These pressure values also allow us to estimate passenger load. Once implemented, passengers can check train crowd levels via our website or app before boarding," Yang explained, highlighting how data monitoring improves safety and passenger service quality.
Since launching the 5G Smart Railway Project, TMC has significantly improved rail safety and reliability, reducing unexpected failures through real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. Maintenance efficiency has also increased, reducing downtime. For passengers, travel times are more punctual, and the overall experience is more comfortable.
Smart Transportation for a Convenient City
"We hope Taoyuan continues to advance smart transportation infrastructure, not only in rail transport but also by enhancing commute efficiency with innovative technologies. Future urban development should also prioritize environmental protection and sustainability, building a smarter, greener, and more livable modern city," Yang concluded.
By constructing the "Railway Intelligence Application Cloud Platform," TMC delivers a more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable rail transport system. This initiative enhances the competitiveness of the rail industry, improves the urban traffic environment, and provides safer, greener commuting options while promoting sustainable urban development.