RADIO ON THE RAILS Jonathan Nally
Access to a dedicated radio communications band is revolutionising the Australian rail network.
T
he federal government has allocated $15.5 million as the first tranche of funding for the national Advanced Train Management System (ATMS) project. Presently, train control in Australia (and in pretty much all other countries) uses a very ancient trackside signalling system - and those systems date back to not the last century but the century before. The ATMS will use broadband communications, GPS navigation and state-of-the-art computer technology to locate and route trains in real time, enabling trains to operate more safely and closer together. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development Warren Truss said the system will become the accredited standard for train management across the national rail network managed by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). “ATMS will further improve the reliability of our national rail network, increasing on-time performance and safety. It will also increase capacity for the movement of freight across the nation, boosting the productivity of our industries,” Truss said. “The Australian Government has committed $50 million to start the roll-out of ATMS across Australia and trains operating between Whyalla and Port Augusta in South Australia will be the first to
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implement ATMS as part of Stage 1, with the technology later able to be extended across Australia.” In addition to the federal government’s commitment, the ARTC is contributing funding to the estimated $65 million project. ARTC Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director John Fullerton said ATMS will transform Australia’s rail industry by increasing the cost effectiveness of the network and reducing reliance on expensive signalling and other physical trackside infrastructure. “ATMS will be gradually scaled up in a live but safe operational environment so the system’s full capabilities can be tested,” said Fullerton. “Initial trials commenced in January 2015 and, so far, two locomotives that travel between Port Augusta and Whyalla have been fitted with in-cab ATMS equipment. “Planning is already underway for the next set of trials, which will involve further consultation with the end users of the system - rail operators. These trials are expected to commence later this year. The system is custom-engineered technology and will transform the way freight rail infrastructure is managed and monitored across the country.” This initial stage of the ATMS implementation is being jointly delivered by ARTC and Lockheed Martin Australia.
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