A Secure and Scalable Blockchain Framework for Data Sharing and Cost Distribution in Railway Condition Monitoring

Remote condition monitoring (RCM) systems, supported by advancements in sensors, verification tools, and high-speed data transmission, are becoming central to the Internet of Things (IoT) in railway infrastructure. However, the data generated by RCM systems often remains siloed, restricting effective sharing and limiting cross-industry applications. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a blockchain-based framework that employs smart contracts to automate and secure agreements for RCM data sharing. The research adopts a design-and-evaluation methodology. The proposed framework integrates blockchain and smart contracts to replace traditional paper-based agreements with auditable, tamper-resistant, and decentralized mechanisms. A prototype system was developed and tested through simulations and controlled experiments reflecting railway operational conditions. Performance was evaluated using key metrics, including throughput, latency, and reliability. The results demonstrate that the system can efficiently manage large-scale data exchange with low latency and high reliability, while ensuring transparency and equitable participation without reliance on a trusted third party. These findings indicate the feasibility of deploying blockchain-enabled data-sharing platforms in the railway sector. The study concludes that the proposed framework has strong potential to transform data management practices, foster collaboration, and support innovation across the industry.