# Towards the Internet of Smart Trains:
## 5 The Rise of the Internet of Trains  
Long before IoT was coined, railway operators and infrastructure managers were actively using M2M technology and data analysis to improve the maintenance and performance of their assets. The IIoT has had a major impact on the transportation industry, with the advent of autonomous vehicles and improved cargo management. Nevertheless, although they may have been pioneers, the reality is that the rail industry has barely scratched the surface of what is possible. As IIoT continues to evolve, it is bringing greater standardization, openness, and scalability to the information provided to operators: they gain insight into how their assets are performing, which opens up many new possibilities to use big data in more creative and effective ways. Nonetheless, the fact that trains operate at such high speeds through tunnels and extreme weather conditions, presents real challenges when it comes to deploying IIoT systems. Regardless of the challenges, IIoT has the potential to revolutionize the railway industry. A rail network comprises thousands, if not millions of components, from rolling stocks to signals, rails and \begin{table}
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**Parameter** & **Expected Evolution [59]** \\ \hline Organizational model & In Europe, the scenario will not change substantially. Regulation for all member states will come from the EU, but overall responsibility will continue to be held at a national level. \\ \hline Voice requirements & It may change over time. Some stakeholders have indicated some interest in making use of voice communications which are barely used today (e.g., for communications with train crew and/or passenger announcements independently of the communications between driver and controller). Some of the voice functions of GSM-R, such as the REC, may cease to be critical voice requirements if alternative solutions are available (e.g., if the emergency call and halt to train movement is handled through data/signaling). \\ \hline ETCS & It currently uses GSM circuit-switched data and it is being evolved to allow the operations over IP packet networks. ETCS operation over GSM-R GPRS is ongoing. \\ \hline Signaling requirements & It will not change substantially over the next 15+ years. \\ \hline Communications & The technologies in use will continue to change rapidly with a major evolution in networks, services and devices over 3–5 year cycles. \\ \hline Applications & The demand for more data applications will increase. Innovative services needed to increase profits. \\ \hline Radio spectrum & In key bands, spectrum for mobile use will continue to be in high demand, becoming increasingly scarce and costly to acquire. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
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Table 10: Hypotheses influencing the future railway environment (next 15+ years). \begin{table}
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**Phase** & 2004-2017 & 2018 & 2019 & 2020 & 2021 & 2022 & 2023 & 2024 & 2025 & 2026 & 2027 & 2028 & 2029 & 2030 \\ \hline System definition & Transistor strategy & & & & & & & & & & \\ Develop new-generation terminals & & & & & & & & & & & \\ New-generation terminal roll-out & & & & & & & & & & \\ New-generation infrastructure trials & & & & & & & & & & \\ New-generation infrastructure transition & & & & & & & & & & \\ Transition complete & & & & & & & & & & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
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Table 9: Time frame of LTE-R in Europe. stations. All elements need to work cooperatively. The Internet of Trains holds the promise that rail systems can leapfrog interoperability, safety, and security issues, while modernizing rapidly. It refers to the use of networks of intelligent on-board devices connected to cloud-based applications to improve communications and control systems.