Approved for establishment in December 2019 by the Department of Science and Technology of Hunan Province, the Rail Data Research and Application Key Laboratory of Hunan Province is built upon the National Key Discipline of "Transportation Engineering" (a first-level discipline), the national "Double First-Class" discipline, and the provincial first-class discipline cluster of rail transportation at Central South University. It aims to innovate and develop theories, methods, and technical systems for big data-driven intelligent rail transportation planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and safety management. The laboratory focuses its scientific research and technological applications on the following four areas:

Area 1: Analytical and Fusion Technologies for Rail Transportation Big Data

Area 2: Big Data-Driven Rail Transportation Planning and Design

Area 3: Big Data-Driven Rail Transportation Operation and Maintenance

Area 4: Big Data-Driven Rail Transportation Safety Control and Management