Concept of Efficient Utilization of Railway Station Technical–Hygienic Maintenance Centers—A Case Study from Slovakia

The current technical condition of facilities designated for the technical–hygienic maintenance of railway rolling stock is unsatisfactory, as they are neither technologically nor technically equipped to meet the required quality standards. Maintenance is often carried out in open spaces or directly on the tracks of major railway junctions, which prevents year-round execution of these services and causes operational limitations. This article analyses and proposes solutions for the technical–hygienic maintenance center (THU) of railway rolling stock at the Nové Zámky railway station in Slovakia, focusing on improving the efficiency and quality of the provided services. The analysis includes an assessment of technological procedures, identification of operational deficiencies, and a comparison of current maintenance standards with the requirements for contemporary railway systems, such as automated diagnostic platforms, predictive maintenance modules, and modular cleaning infrastructure. The optimization of THU services considers the average time norms for selected technological procedures and the characteristics of train sets passing through the center. The proposed solution involves a more efficient scheduling of operations in line with the valid railway traffic timetable and train set circulation, utilizing a graphical planning method for modelling and optimizing the facility’s service processes. The implementation of optimization measures can lead to increased capacity and efficiency of maintenance, reduced time required for individual procedures, and lower operational costs. The study’s results provide practical recommendations for improving the quality of technical–hygienic maintenance at railway junction stations, contributing to greater railway transport reliability and an overall improvement in passenger comfort. Additionally, the findings offer a transferable framework that may inform the planning and modernization of maintenance facilities at other regional railway stations facing similar infrastructural and operational challenges.