Operational Transitions to Automation: A Scoping review with implications for future rail service

Abstract

The increasing integration of digitalization and automation in transport domains requires an understanding of barriers and facilitators affecting operational transitions. This systematic literature review, following PRISMA guidelines, identifies factors influencing automation-related operational changes in multiple transport domains attempting to utilize the insights to serve the scope of the rail sector. Three databases (Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE) were searched for publications from 2000–2025, yielding 14 eligible articles after screening. Extracted data on facilitators, barriers, and lessons learned were thematically clustered into three categories: i) Organizational and human factors aspects, ii) process and risk mitigation strategies, and iii) infrastructure and system integration. Results indicate that organizational and human factors aspects dominate both barriers and facilitators. The most frequently reported barrier was system complexity and uncertainty (50%), followed by poor system adoption (29%) and stakeholder misalignment (21%). Stakeholder involvement emerged as the primary facilitator (43%), alongside utilization of centralized support tools (36%). Key lessons learned include the importance of operator-stakeholder alignment, active middle management engagement, and maintaining trust in automation (each 21%). Infrastructure-related factors were minimally reported, suggesting practitioners may treat technical integration as a design prerequisite rather than an operational concern. These findings highlight that successful operational transitions in public transport depend primarily on addressing human and organizational dimensions rather than technological capabilities alone. We adopted a multidomain perspective assuming transferability across transport domains to serve future railway research. Future research should incorporate grey literature and longitudinal studies to strengthen guidance for rail operators.

Keywords: Automation, Digitalization, Operational Change, Change Management, Rail, Transport, Human Factors

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007872