Book excerpt: Use of big data has proven to be beneficial within many different industries, especially in the field of engineering; however, infiltration of this type of technology into more traditional heavy industries, such as the railways, has been limited. Innovative Applications of Big Data in the Railway Industry is a pivotal reference source for the latest research findings on the utilization of data sets in the railway industry. Featuring extensive coverage on relevant areas such as driver support systems, railway safety management, and obstacle detection, this publication is an ideal resource for transportation planners, engineers, policymakers, and graduate-level engineering students seeking current research on a specific application of big data and its effects on transportation.