Spatial Design Hub
Rail Insights: Bringing Complex Rail Data to Life with Spatial IQ
Rail Insights: Bringing Complex Rail Data to Life with Spatial IQ
Details:
- Company: Spatial Design Hub
- Client: Network Rail
- Year: 2024 - 2025
- Region: UK-wide
- Product: Rail Journey Insights
Service areas:
- Geographical information systems (GIS) and mapping
- Planning and urban design services
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and software solutions
Introduction
Network Rail, are responsible for the UK’s rail infrastructure, faced a pressing need to improve how its teams accessed and used complex outputs from the Visum strategic transport model. While the model itself produced rich and valuable insights, the internal tools available were not designed to handle the complexity or scale of the data, nor did they align well with internal workflows. To address this, Spatial Design Hub used their Spatial IQ data platform to develop a bespoke application labelled as Rail Insights. The aim was to create a web-based solution that could make model outputs more intuitive and accessible.
Challenges
One of the primary challenges was the lack of advanced geospatial capabilities in existing off-the-shelf dashboard tools. These tools were not designed with rail data in mind and lacked the flexibility required to support Network Rail’s specific analytical needs. Additionally, the inability to customise user interfaces or integrate seamlessly with internal data structures meant that teams were spending significant time manually interpreting outputs or transferring data between systems. The complexity of the model itself also posed a barrier—key decision-makers and stakeholders struggled to easily access and interpret information, which slowed down project workflows and made it harder to use data proactively.
Solutions
Spatial Design Hub responded by building Rail Insights—a bespoke web-based platform rooted in their Spatial IQ architecture. The underlying analytics engine and interface framework were refined and adapted specifically for Network Rail’s needs, supporting interactive visualisation of flows, demand data, and scenario testing. The result was a branded and customised tool, shaped by ongoing collaboration with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with established workflows. The intuitive mapping interface and visual storytelling features made it far easier to explore transport modelling results without requiring specialist software or training.
Results
The launch of Rail Insights marked a significant step forward in Network Rail’s ability to draw meaning from complex model outputs. The platform enabled teams to access insights quickly, supporting more agile planning and better-informed decision-making. Internal collaboration also improved, with staff able to engage more easily across departments through a shared, accessible interface. Because the tool was built on Spatial Design Hub’s flexible Spatial IQ foundation, it seamlessly integrated with existing processes while providing a tailored experience.
Shravan Patel, Crowding Analysis Manager at Network Rail, praised the partnership, describing the outcome as a boundary-pushing innovation that demonstrated both technical depth and a keen understanding of the client’s needs.
Shravan Patel, Crowding Analysis Manager at Network Rail, praised the partnership, describing the outcome as a boundary-pushing innovation that demonstrated both technical depth and a keen understanding of the client’s needs.
Spatial Design Hub have been exceptional innovation partners. Their expertise in GIS analysis, data science, and web-app development is truly eye-opening. Their team worked collaboratively with us, and together we pushed boundaries, achieving remarkable results. Their dedication and innovative approach have significantly contributed to the success of Rail Insights.
Shravan Patel
Crowding Analysis Manager - System Operator, Network Rail
