NS

In the dynamic realm of railway operations, adaptability is paramount—especially within one of the world’s busiest networks like the Netherlands’. Traditional scheduling systems often falter when confronted with real-time disruptions and shifting passenger demands. Addressing this challenge, NS has developed BAM! (BijsturingsApplicatieMaterieel), an innovative system that transforms how train schedules are adjusted on the fly.

BAM! serves as a vital tool for “bijstuurders”, the professionals who modify train schedules to mitigate disruptions and ensure optimal service. The predecessor system was an outdated, monolithic application built on Java 8, JEE, and WebLogic 12. It was difficult to maintain, lacked modern development practices like CI/CD and DevOps, and was unable to integrate effectively with other systems. User dissatisfaction was high due to its sluggish performance and inadequate information display.

NS rebuilt this mission-critical system from the ground up. The new BAM! is crafted with state-of-the-art technologies such as Java 21, Spring Boot 3.x, Kubernetes, and Angular. This overhaul isn’t merely a technological upgrade; it’s a complete reimagining that introduces a simplified architecture for seamless integration, easier addition of new features, and readiness for future innovations like AI.

The redesigned user interface, developed with the latest UX practices and accessibility features, enables “bijstuurders” to respond swiftly to incidents and passenger demand changes. Leveraging the Java ecosystem, BAM! allows for seamless upgrades, moving from Java 17 to Java 21 and Spring 5 to Spring 6 without significant changes, ensuring continuous enhancement of system performance.

Since its deployment, BAM! has been enthusiastically received by users. Users praise the system’s speed, reliability, and the ease with which they can perform critical tasks.

The jury commends NS and the BAM! team for their innovation and their courage, replacing such a big and important piece of software to improve the travel experience for its users, making BAM! a deserving nominee for the NLJUG Innovation Award 2024.