Indian Railways aims for Switzerland Railway technology! Ashwini Vaishnaw says India gears up to adopt ‘hub-and-spoke model’, tunneling technology

Ashwini Vaishnaw at WEF 2024, Davos (Image: Reuters)

Indian Railways is set to collaborate with the Swiss railway through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to glean insights from their best practices and methodologies. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, told PTI during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, that Indian Railways has the potential to learn from Switzerland, citing their expertise in the hub-and-spoke model and tunneling technology.

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Hub-and-spoke design

Vaishnaw highlighted Switzerland’s achievements in tunneling technology, exemplified by the world’s longest 57-km Gotthard tunnel. He noted the Swiss railway’s innovative track structure, particularly its focus on a hub-and-spoke design, where multiple trains converge at a central hub simultaneously, allowing passengers to easily switch between trains.

While India traditionally prioritises end-to-end connectivity, Switzerland’s system revolves around the hub-and-spoke model with six major hubs and connecting spokes. Vaishnaw expressed the intention to formalise this learning process through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Swiss railways.

The minister also commended Switzerland’s efficient inter-connectivity across various modes of public transport, such as trains, buses, cable cars, and metro. He noted the seamless use of a common card or ticket for different modes of transportation.

Switzerland boasts a dense railway network spanning over 5,200 kilometers, with almost the entire network electrified, except for certain areas designated for tourism-focused steam locomotives.

What is hub-and-spoke design

The hub-and-spoke design is a transportation or network configuration where a central “hub” is connected to various “spokes” or outlying destinations. In the context of transportation systems, such as railways or airlines, this design is used to efficiently manage the flow of passengers or goods.

In a hub-and-spoke model

Hub: The hub is a central location where transportation services converge. It serves as a major connecting point for various routes. Hubs are usually strategically located and well-connected, allowing for easy transfers between different modes of transportation.

Spokes: The spokes represent the routes extending from the hub to different destinations. These routes radiate outward from the central hub, connecting it to various locations. Passengers or goods typically travel between the spokes and the hub.

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Benefits of the hub-and-spoke model include

Efficiency: Concentrating traffic at a central hub allows for better coordination of schedules, reducing layover times and improving overall efficiency.

Connectivity: The model facilitates easy connections between different spokes, enabling passengers or goods to transfer smoothly between various routes.

Economies of Scale: Concentrating resources and services at a central hub can lead to cost savings and operational efficiencies.

Flexibility: The hub-and-spoke model provides flexibility for adding or adjusting spokes based on demand and changing transportation patterns.

The aviation industry often uses the hub-and-spoke model for scheduling flights, where major airports (hubs) act as central points for connecting flights to various destinations (spokes). Similarly, in railway systems, a central station might serve as a hub with multiple train lines radiating outward to different cities or regions.