Technology news
-
NewsNovel traction drive on show at InnoTrans
INNOTRANS: The Beijing Zongheng Electro-Mechanical Technology Co subsidiary of China Academy of Railway Sciences is to showcase its newly developed integrated traction and control technology at InnoTrans 2024. Describing the technology as a ‘future rail system architecture’ for rolling stock, ZEMT’s Fully Electric Drive Integrated System ...
-
Rail Business UKHitachi shrinks battery technology for use on local trains
UK: A smaller and lighter version of the battery pack currently being tested on a Hitachi Rail inter-city train is being developed for regional, commuter and suburban trains on non-electrified lines. Hitachi is working with Innovate UK, the University of Birmingham, DB ESG and Sunderland-based battery ...
-
NewsRailPulse freight wagon telematics platform goes live
NORTH AMERICA: The industry-wide RailPulse coalition has launched the open platform for telematics data which it has developed to provide near real-time insights for North American wagon owners, operators and freight shippers. The platform uses GPS and other technologies to monitor the location, condition and health ...
-
NewsApp trial to help blind and low vision passengers navigate Boston stations
USA: The NaviLens smart phone navigation app for visually impaired people is being tested on Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Boston commuter rail network. Users scan brightly coloured QR-style codes posted in the stations, and the app will then help them find the correct platform, provide real-time ...
-
Rail Business UKAI project aims to prevent level crossing safety incidents
UK: Purple Transform has been awarded Innovate UK funding to develop and trial the use of artificial intelligence to alert staff to potential safety incidents at level crossings. The Levelling Up Crossings project will use Purple Transform’s proprietary SiYtE machine vision and learning platform to scan ...
-
NewsGenessee & Wyoming to ‘revolutionise’ clearance assessment
USA: Genessee & Wyoming is to use scanning and data capture hardware from Cordel Group and Rift software from TÜV Rheinland Group company D/Gauge for clearance assessment in its Upper Midwest and Great Lake divisions. ‘This cutting-edge clearance software will revolutionise the analysis and investigation of ...
-
-
NewsEnhanced passenger information system ordered for Queensland EMUs
AUSTRALIA: Singapore-based ST Engineering’s Urban Solutions business is to provide an enhanced version of its AGIL passenger information system for the 65 six-car electric multiple-units that Downer is to supply under the Queensland Train Manufacturing Programme. ‘In addition to strengthening our presence in Australia, this contract ...
-
Rail Business UKNine start-ups selected for rail innovation programme
UK: Nine technology start-ups have been selected from more than 100 applicants to joint the Future Labs innovation programme run by Southeastern, Northern, LNER and TransPennine Express with specialist company L Marks. Chata.ai enables organisations to harness their data through proactive self-service analytics, allowing users ...
-
NewsBogie-mounted sensors help to optimise wagon maintenance
EUROPE: Freight train operators are using a sensor-based system from technology company A1 Digital and its hardware partner Cargomon to accurately determine wagon weights in real time, reducing the risk of uneven loading and lowering costs without needing to send wagons to weighing stations. The bogie-mounted ...
-
Rail Business UKTinted window film to reduce train air-conditioning needs
UK: TransPennine Express is trialling two tinted window films which it hopes will reduce solar heating and thus lower the energy used by train air-conditioning systems. The operator expects the film supplied by Aura Brand Solutions to block more than 30% of solar energy and 99·9% ...
-
In depthInfrastructure: Understanding the performance of under sleeper pads
Under sleeper pads have been used for ballast protection and improved track geometry over more than 20 years, but a new contact pressure measurement technique has revealed significant differences in their ballast protection properties.
-
In depthMaintenance: Electric drives offer energy-efficient tamping
Real operating data recorded over a long period have demonstrated the energy-saving potential of Plasser & Theurer’s electric drive technology, as well as reducing exhaust emissions.
-
NewsFrauscher to unveil turnout control system at InnoTrans 2024
INNOTRANS: A turnout control system which provides data for diagnostic and condition monitoring will be unveiled by Frauscher at InnoTrans 2024. Standardised interfaces such as EULYNX provide interoperability and the flexibility needed to futureproof networks and simplify modernisations and renewals when required. Frauscher will also be ...
-
NewsSolar panels added to railway noise barrier
LITHUANIA: A lineside noise barrier incorporating solar panels to generate electricity has been installed at Juodšiliai to the south of Vilnius. The 22·2 kW solar power plant installed by infrastructure manager LTG Infra and SoliTek is expected to generate up to 14 MWh of per year, ...
-
NewsAutonomous high speed line inspection vehicle on test
ITALY: A prototype 200 km/h Unmanned Railway Vehicle designed to carry out automated inspection of high speed lines is undergoing trials at the Bologna San Donato test track. The URV is designed to undertake inspection, monitoring, analysis and mapping of railway infrastructure ...
-
NewsEnerpac sets its sights on the global market at InnoTrans 2024
InnoTrans: Railway maintenance tool specialist Enerpac will be making its first appearance at InnoTrans this year, as the company sets its sights on the global market. The centrepiece of its stand will be the TL248 Hydraulic Track Lift System, a powerful, efficient and safe way to ...
-
NewsAutomated wagon inspection to make rail freight more competitive
GERMANY: The Digital Inspection by Machine Intelligence project has been launched to automate and accelerate the manual wagon inspection process which need to be undertaken before an intermodal train can leave a terminal. The aim is to use sensors, cameras and AI to make wagon and ...
-
NewsUber adds Spanish rail travel options
SPAIN: Building on a two-year collaboration in the UK, taxi booking platform Uber has begun using Omio’s API to provide its customers with access to rail travel options in Spain. ‘Our collaboration with Uber is a significant achievement for Omio as we join forces with leading ...
-
NewsData analysis service aims to optimise railway energy consumption
ENERGY: Mitsubishi Electric has launched a data analysis service to help railways to optimise the deployment and operation of their assets to reduce overall energy consumption. It uses Mitsubishi Electric’s Serendie digital platform, which collects and analyses data such as the power consumption and operational status ...