Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the UK rail industry, bringing a new era of smart mobility and reshaping the management of operational infrastructure such as track and stations. As AI becomes central to real-time train management and predictive maintenance, rail operators and innovators are collaborating to deliver safer, more efficient, and passenger-focused journeys.
GBRX is the UK rail industry's strategic technology and innovation body, tasked with accelerating technology adoption and modernising the rail network. Working within Network Rail, and will ultimately become part of Great British Railways (GBR), GBRX focuses on AI, automation, and sustainability, bridging gaps between track and train. Meanwhile, Network Rail is deploying AI at scale via its 'Intelligent Infrastructure' programme, using machine learning to predict faults and enable proactive maintenance.
From AI-powered systems that monitor the condition of trains, tracks and stations to predicting when maintenance is needed AI is becoming a core part of the rail industry. This also includes the use of drones to inspect infrastructure, as well as smart ticketing, passenger demand modelling and real time data on train movements and passenger flows. AI is helping operators respond to changing conditions quickly and efficiently.
But with these opportunities comes important legal considerations.
Firstly, data ownership – the data generated by trains, stations and passengers is vast, and there should be clear legal agreements to address whether data can be used to train AI models, the technical standards for data exchange, and even the interoperability of data sharing between different systems and operators.
AI can automate decision-making, but there needs to be clear accountability for when things go wrong. Who is liable, for example, if an AI system makes an operational decision that leads to an incident?
Contracts must address accountability, and operators may need to explain how decisions are made, especially in safety-critical contexts. Contracts should also make sure they avoid anti-competitive practices such as exclusive arrangements that restrict market access or adopt discriminatory practices.
Protecting against cyber attacks is obviously crucial. Rail operators are generally considered operators of essential services, and so are subject to security and operational resilience obligations. We have seen a significant increase in provisions included in contracts relating to cyber security, data protection and the use of AI and would expect this to continue as maturity evolves.
There are also broader ethical considerations on the use of AI. Systems must be designed to avoid bias, to ensure the fair treatment of passengers and staff. And given the perceived threat to jobs in the rail sector, industry parties should consider the impact on staff and engage with unions and stakeholders.
In this new AI world, there are several things that parties in the industry should consider. Which are the most promising opportunity areas that would benefit from AI, such as maintenance, scheduling, and passenger experience? Are your systems are ready to connect with other transport modes and operators, and if they are, what legal barriers exist?
Organisations should also clarify data ownership and operational accountability while ensuring AI infrastructure meets cyber security requirements. Perhaps most critically, effective stakeholder engagement is essential, and those within the industry should ensure they work well with government, regulators and other stakeholders to ensure public trust.
It is clear that AI is reshaping the UK rail network and offers a great deal of opportunities for smarter, safer, and more integrated transport. However, as the legal landscape evolves, parties must navigate these issues. By considering these questions and engaging with stakeholders, the industry can position itself effectively to harness the potential of AI for the benefit of users and operators.
Tammy Samuel is Head of Rail, and Michelle Yee Loo is an Associate in the Commercial, Data and Technology team at Stephenson Harwood.
