GLOBAL INITIATIVES ON DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF RAILWAYS: EXPERIENCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE CONCEPT OF “RAILWAY 4.0”

The article examines the prerequisites for the formation of the “Railway 4.0” concept and determines that its emergence is caused by increased competition in the transportation market, increased requirements for their quality and safety, and the aggravation of geopolitical and environmental crises. It is determined that the European model of the “Railway 4.0” concept is based on technological integration, automation (robotization) of processes and predictive management and is focused on increasing the interoperability of the railway network, the development of customer-oriented services and the formation of a single digital space of the transport system. International initiatives in the field of digital transformation of railways, in particular FRMCS and Horizon Europe, are analyzed, and it is argued that these projects of digitalization of railway transport ensure the creation of a digital railway ecosystem, thereby creating conditions for the safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability of the industry. Global projects of digital transformation of railways and the results of the integration of digital solutions into the activities of railway transport in the world are characterized.