Q-CTRL Fire Opal Software: UKs Train Scheduling with Quantum
Fire Opal Software
Quantum Software Improves Train Scheduling for Top UK Rail Companies and Q-CTRL
Q-CTRL, a leader in quantum infrastructure software, is conducting a large study with Network Rail and the UK Department for Transport (DfT). This study shows that quantum software improves quantum hardware performance. This might push quantum advantage into transport logistics by 2028.
Breakthrough Results
Fixing train scheduling and routing was the study's principal use case. At London Bridge station, a major UK rail hub, it showed train arrival and departure times. With Q-CTRL's optimisation software, Fire Opal Software, researchers were able to solve 6x more problems on quantum technology than without it. This achievement sets the global record for constrained quantum optimisation work size.
Q-CTRL software lowered compute costs by almost 2,500 times by solving problems faster, beating other quantum methods. Q-CTRL researchers optimised 26 trains that went through the key rail hub in 18 minutes using Fire Opal Software and IBM quantum technologies. Our findings suggest that near-term quantum computing may give approximation answers faster and better, accelerating real quantum applications in the rail sector and other transport and logistics sectors.
The Fire Opal Software Role
Fire Opal Software from Q-CTRL helped this project succeed. Fire Opal Software achieves its goals by breaking complex difficulties into classical and quantum components and enhancing quantum hardware performance.
This project relied on Network Rail's subject matter expertise to co-design a problem formulation. Train scheduling is a periodic event scheduling problem in this formulation, which Fire Opal's optimisation solver can handle. Users with rail scheduling expertise can utilise quantum software without quantum computing understanding since it automates error suppression and simplifies quantum circuit configuration and operation.
Problem-solving with Fire Opal Software involves:
End-users define the issue.
The “easy” half of the problem is solved classically.
Fire Opal Software optimisation solver solves this simplified issue for the quantum solver, which handles the “hard” component.
With evaluations and solution visualisations that emphasise critical metrics and conflicts, the quantum solver output is then made approachable.
Benefits of Fire Opal
Fire Opal Software increased the solved problem size six-fold compared to quantum hardware without Q-CTRL's software. This achievement set the world record for the largest limited quantum optimisation task.
Fire Opal's method solved problems faster than rival quantum technologies and cut processing expenses by more than 2,500x.
Fire Opal Software accelerates the date for a tangible quantum advantage in transport logistics to 2028 by improving quantum hardware performance.
It improves near-term quantum computing by making approximations faster and better.
Fire Opal Software helps solve tough problems by splitting them into conventional and quantum parts. The quantum solution solves the “hard” part of a problem, whereas classical methods handle the “easy” part.
It boosts quantum hardware performance.
User Accessibility: Fire Opal Software handles Periodic Event Scheduling concerns, which automate error suppression and remove quantum circuit configuration and running. This allows end users without quantum computing understanding to use quantum software immediately, even if they specialise in train scheduling.
After the solution, Fire Opal Software converts the quantum solver output into a user-friendly format with evaluations and solution visualisations that highlight key metrics and conflicts.
Using actual train arrival and departure timings at London Bridge station, it optimised 26 train routes in 18 minutes, confirming its relevance to real-world circumstances. To achieve the optimal routing on a real quantum device, Network Rail recommended Fire Opal Software.
Fire Opal Software makes quantum optimisation more powerful, effective, and accessible for logistics and transportation.
Industry Outlook and Perspectives
Lead Solutions Engineer Niall Moroney of Q-CTRL said, “We expect our quantum solver to outperform classical approaches as early as 2028.” He added that quantum optimisation is particularly useful for train scheduling because even little improvements can improve sustainability, efficiency, and dependability.
Network Rail's Principal Engineer, Nadia Hoodbhoy, was pleased to see Q-CTRL's optimisation solver realise the optimal routing of 26 trains over 18 minutes of real scheduling data for the full station topology on a quantum device.
Sarah Sharples, Department for Transport Chief Scientific Advisor, said this might improve future train services. “A difficult but essential element for future rail services is higher-quality and more flexible scheduling,” Sharples added. Q-CTRL has shown how quantum computing might enable and possibly accelerate this capability, and their roadmap towards a real-world quantum solution seems promising.”
Project Funding and Recognition
Q-CTRL received funding for this project from the Small Business project Initiative Quantum Catalyst Fund Competition in February 2024. Innovate UK and the UK Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) support this quantum technology competition studying its benefits in key government sectors. Six of 30 initial participants, including Q-CTRL, advanced to the project's second stage, which gave more financing.
