RailML

RailML is an open-standard data exchange format for railway information, based on XML, designed to enable interoperable data sharing between different software applications across the railway sector. It provides a common representation of core railway data to support tasks such as planning, simulation, timetable preparation, and asset management.

The railML data model is modular and extensible, organized into modules that describe infrastructure (network topology, lines, tracks, signals), rolling stock (vehicles, performance characteristics), timetable data (train services, schedules), and operational planning. Data is stored in compliant XML documents that can be exchanged between systems, promoting consistency and reuse across tools from different vendors and organizations.

RailML is a community-driven, vendor-neutral standard coordinated by the railML.org organization. Its development emphasizes broad industry participation, clear documentation, and backward-compatible evolution to accommodate new requirements while maintaining interoperability with existing data sets.

Adoption and usage include exchange between planning tools, simulation and performance analysis software, signaling and control systems, and maintenance or asset-management platforms. A range of open-source and commercial tools provide railML readers and writers, facilitating integration across the railway IT landscape. Over time, railML has evolved from earlier versions (commonly referred to as railML 2.x) to newer iterations (such as railML 3.x), expanding coverage and aligning with modern data-management practices.