Railroad Electrical Field Evolves Through Co-creation: Smart Maintenance of Facilities and Mechanization/DX of Construction Work

East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company (JR West) have been collaborating in the electrical department to solve issues, aiming to develop their railway business and provide safe and stable transportation services that customers can use with peace of mind, even amidst the projected decline in the working-age population due to the declining birthrate and aging population. After approximately one year of efforts, concrete results have emerged in areas such as "smart maintenance of electrical facilities" and "mechanization and DX of construction work," with some themes, such as multi-functional railroad heavy machinery, leading to actual implementation at JR East. Shikoku Railway Company and Kyushu Railway Company also joined this collaboration in February 2026. They will continue to engage with other railway operators to improve the level of safe and stable transportation and contribute to the sustainable operation of the railway business. In February 2025, after signing a memorandum of understanding, the two companies collaborated on various themes leading to the provision of sustainable transportation services. As a result, some themes, such as multi-functional railroad heavy machinery, have been actually introduced at JR East. In addition, themes are underway for introduction, and themes are emerging for joint study and development by combining the technologies and knowledge of both companies. Synergy effects, such as the creation of innovative ideas, are being generated to solve the challenges of each company. Themes that have led to actual introduction include multi-functional railroad heavy machinery (introduced at JR East in March 2026). Themes currently underway for introduction include signal bond monitoring, functional improvement and mutual introduction of signal system specification creation support systems, and mutual introduction of recovery support systems utilizing generative AI. Themes for joint study and development include overall organization of inspection items and cycles with a view to utilizing sensors and drones, and joint development of work tools for multi-functional railroad heavy machinery. As this collaboration progresses steadily, Shikoku Railway Company and Kyushu Railway Company, who agreed with the idea of reducing resources and speeding up through collaboration, also joined this collaboration in February 2026. They will continue to engage with other railway operators to improve the level of safe and stable transportation and contribute to the sustainable operation of the railway business. Furthermore, all seven JR companies are collaborating on the standardization of materials and parts for railway electrical equipment, and through these initiatives, they will contribute to the overall development of the railway electrical field.