Technology news
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Rail Business UKHybrid satellite and terrestrial communications for rail
UK: Technology consultancy CGI, satellite operator Eutelsat OneWeb and on-train connectivity supplier Icomera are running trials to demonstrate how constellations of low-earth orbit satellite and terrestrial communications networks could provide seamless, low-latency broadband on the rail network. The trial is connected to the Satellites ...
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Rail Business UKEurostar depot equipped with moveable overhead electrification
UK: Electrification specialist Furrer+Frey has completed a project to install moveable conductor bar at Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot in east London. A total of 1·5 km of movable overhead has been installed on the eight depot tracks. It can be moved out of the ...
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In depthResearch: Integrating AI in the rail sector
A European research project led by Italy’s National Interuniversity Consortium for Informatics suggests that adoption of AI technologies will have a transformative impact on railway business and operations.
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NewsONxpress to deploy IVU.rail software in GO expansion
CANADA: The ONxpress consortium which has a concession to design, build, operate and maintain the expanded GO rail network around Toronto is to use IVU Traffic Technologies’ IVU.rail software to schedule, dispatch and optimise its future services. ‘We made the decision to go with IVU.rail following ...
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In depthSignalling: Queensland enters the digital age
Bringing together public and private sector partners, the Sequence Signalling & Systems Alliance is pressing ahead with the introduction of ETCS Level 2 train control across the South East Queensland rail network.
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NewsTackling an ETCS retrofitting bottleneck
GERMANY: Stadler says it is now set up to help accelerate the roll-out of ETCS, after its AngelStar joint venture with MerMec completed the first retrofit of its Guardia equipment to another manufacturer’s locomotive without the involvement of the original supplier. Two of DB Cargo’s Bombardier ...
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NewsAI looks for patterns to identify track and wheel faults
TRACK: ZF Group has started using vibrations and artificial intelligence to monitor track condition, wheel fatigue and damage. Connect@rail uses ZF’s heavy duty inertia sensors to detect potential irregularities from rail surface defects and wheel faults. AI is used to filter out common events such as ...
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In depthSafety: Spending grows as Indian Railways plans national signalling upgrade
Responding to the horrific three-train accident in Odisha on June 2, Indian Railways has announced a massive overhaul of its signalling assets, and begun qualifying potential suppliers for a national programme of modernisation and resignalling works. Raghu Dayal investigates.
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NewsNS deploys digital inspection portals to spot wagon problems
USA: Norfolk Southern has begun deploying digital train inspection portals which use machine vision to identify faults on moving wagons. The portals have been developed under a joint project between the railroad’s Data Science/Artificial Intelligence and Mechanical teams and the Georgia Tech ...
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In depthItaly: Accelerating ERTMS deployment offers great benefits
Italian infrastructure manager RFI has launched an accelerated programme to equip the entire national network with ETCS by 2036. National ETCS Project Manager Nazzareno Filippini explains the thinking behind the strategy.
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Rail Business UKFreight operator trials brake monitoring technology
UK: GB Railfreight has completed a four-week test of technology developed in collaboration with Icomera, DG8 and SENSEi which uses battery-powered remote sensors to share status and out-of-tolerance alerts with drivers and control centres during rolling stock pre-checks. Drivers receive sensor data directly to an app ...
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NewsPandrol launches Common Interface to futureproof non-ballasted track
INTERNATIONAL: Pandrol has launched a Common Interface System for ballastless track, so that the fastenings can be adapted quickly and affordably to meet changing performance requirements.
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Rail Business UKAutomated cliff monitoring protects Dawlish railway
UK: Smart cameras, sensors, Telent’s MICA workforce automation platform and Purple Transform’s SiYtE insights software have been combined to alert staff to safety risks where the railway at Dawlish runs below potentially unstable cliffs. IoT sensors fitted along the cliffs detect any rock fall and send ...
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Rail Business UKAccessibility focus for station virtual tour
UK: The Virtual Tour Experts has worked with Greater Anglia and Network Rail to create an online representation of London Liverpool Street station, which Managing Director Neil Henderson says is the first to incorporate an accessibility widget, guided tours and subtitled scene guides. ‘The user-first attitude ...
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Rail Business UKClass 08 diesel shunter converted to battery power
UK: A Class 08 diesel shunting locomotive originally built in the 1950s has been rebuilt to use battery power. Branded 08e, the prototype has been developed by Positive Traction to offer a cost-effective and emission free alternative to diesel power for shunting and industrial applications. ‘Class ...
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Rail Business UKAI technology aims to help prevent railway suicides
UK: Innovate UK has awarded funding to the Suicide Avoidance via Intelligent Video Examination project, which is being undertaken by Purple Transform, Govia Thameslink Railway and Lancaster University. The project uses three AI technologies. The first uses smart cameras at stations and along the track that ...
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NewsCSX to deploy Siemens software to optimise operations
USA: CSX is to use Siemens Mobility’s Controlguide Core Dispatch System and TPS.live traffic planning systems to optimise its operations and maximise network capacity. Controlguide CDS offers granular visualisation of rail operations to support faster decision-making and route optimisation. Siemens Mobility and CSX began working together to ...
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Rail Business UKZero on-site emission overhead line renewals
UK: Infrastructure manager Network Rail has completed a four-night overhead line equipment renewal project at Royston which, for the first time in its Eastern Region, was undertaken with the worksite producing no carbon emissions. Hybrid engineering vehicles operated solely in battery mode, welfare facilities were powered ...
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In depthResearch: Developing a data interface standard
The IDX4rail research initiative aims to create an open-source data converter to mitigate the challenge of differing interface standards for data transfer in the German urban and main line rail sectors.
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In depthGermany: A digital platform to manage freight flows
Having raised €3·6m in an investment round earlier this year, German company Rail-Flow is growing its range of digital tools to ease access to rail freight services.