Technology news
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NewsVoith Turbo discusses digital automatic couplers on the latest InnoTrans podcast
INNOTRANS: The latest episode of the InnoTrans podcast was released on May 11, with Cornelius Weitzmann, CEO Mobility at Voith Turbo, discussing the importance of digital automatic couplers in ensuring the competitveness of rail transport. ‘Rail is the most efficient and sustainable way to ...
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Rail Business UK
Zipabout shows passengers their last mile options
UK: A last mile feature has been added to the Rail Delivery Group’s National Rail ‘Alert Me by Messenger’ function, which uses Facebook’s messaging platform to provide passengers with alternative routes to help maintain social distancing if their journey is predicted to be busy or disrupted. ...
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News
Akiem joins autonomous railpod project
FRANCE: Rolling stock leasing company Akiem has signed a letter of intent paving the way for a financial and industrial partnership to develop the Taxirail concept for an autonomous ‘railpod’ ultra light rail shuttle vehicle. The Taxirail concept has been developed in Bretagne by EXID ...
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Rail Business UK
Real-time passenger counting using on-train CCTV
UK: South Western Railway is testing the use of CCTV cameras, AI technology from PoS Insights and onboard wi-fi from Icomera to produce continuous estimates of passenger numbers on its Siemens Desiro EMU cars. The operator has plans for the data to be made available ...
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News
Road-vehicle collision avoidance technology
USA: Lillee Systems has developed technology to reduce the risk of collisions between road and rail vehicles, particular during maintenance works. Using an AI-based obstacle detection system based on technology developed for autonomous buses, SafeRail provides proximity and movement authority limit alerts, together with event ...
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News
Teleste information screens selected for Danish stations
DENMARK: Infrastructure manager Banedanmark has awarded Teleste a framework contract for the supply of up to 4 500 outdoor TFT LCD displays as part of work to enhance passenger information provision at stations. The contract runs for five years, with an option for a further ...
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News
Automation test track takes shape
CZECH REPUBLIC: AŽD Praha has installed the first regional variant of its GateSWing GTA-100 level crossing protection system as part of a project to develop a test track for autonomous train operation under the Shift2Rail programme and the future Europe’s Rail JU. Intended specifically as a ...
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Rail Business UK
TravelSpace app aims to help get passengers back on the trains
UK: Beta test partners are being sought for live trials of the TravelSpace app, which aims to use up-to-date passenger loading data to help passengers find the least busy trains and assist operators in managing capacity to facilitate social distancing. The app can also be ...
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In depth
Interview: Digital becomes tangible
There is a window of opportunity to combine increased public funding with the demonstrable operational benefits of digital technology in order to drive modal shift to rail after the pandemic, Knorr-Bremse’s Board Member for Rail Systems Dr Jürgen Wilder explains to Nick Kingsley.
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News
Rail-specific cybersecurity platform
SECURITY: RazorSecure has launched a new Security Gateway which has been developed specifically to mitigate the risk of cyber attacks on railway infrastructure or rolling stock data networks. Compliant with the EN62443 and TS50701 standards for rail cybersecurity, the Security Gateway can separate critical networks ...
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News
Digitalising railway maintenance in Mallorca
SPAIN: Software for managing railway infrastructure maintenance activities in Mallorca and generating information to support a move towards predictive maintenance has been developed and deployed by contractor Azvi, technology start up MainRail Solutions, the CEIT technology institute and software specialist Inycom. The MainRail software is ...
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Rail Business UK
Using QR codes to provide bespoke real-time journey information
UK: Passenger entertainment and contact technology company Whoosh is working with train operators to test a Real-Time Journey Dashboard designed to enhance the provision of bespoke live information throughout a rail journey. Passengers scan a unique at-seat QR code to access the dashboard which provides ...
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News
Rail-specific staff scheduling software developed
USA: Cargotec Corp’s rail freight planning, scheduling and analytics software business Navis has developed a module for the optimisation and management of train crew scheduling. As part of its cloud-based Navis Rail Planning Suite, the module provides tools to manage short-term changes to timetables and ...
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News
A ticketing platform so passengers don’t need to think
LITHUANIA: National passenger operator LTG Link has awarded Estonian company Turnit a €7m contract to migrate its ticket sales to the Turnit Ride cloud-based platform by the end of this year. This will include the roll-out of a mobile app for ticket purchases. The aim ...
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Rail Business UK
On-train cameras to spot third rail faults
UK: One Big Circle has been awarded a contract to detect conductor rail and electrical cables faults on third rail electrified routes by combining its Automated Intelligent Video Review on-train technology with thermal cameras to detect hot spots of more than 80ºC. The cameras will ...
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News
Back-up batteries for Serbian signalling
SERBIA: Colas Rail has awarded Saft and local distributor Goltech a contract to provide almost 800 batteries to provide backup power for trackside signalling, safety and communication equipment along a 58 km section of Corridor X. Colas Rail is modernising the route in partnership with ...
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News
Freight train brake monitoring system on test
EUROPE: Siemens Mobility and wagon leasing company VTG Rail Europe are jointly undertaking a one-year trial of a Brake Monitoring System which is being developed to support the automated testing of freight train brakes. The companies say they see great potential for the technology in the ...
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News
Metra to install enhanced air filters on Chicago commuter fleet
USA: Chicago commuter operator Metra has selected Transitair Systems for a $6·6m contract to provide new air filtration and purification systems for nearly 700 coaches which are not due to be replaced by the Alstom cars which it has recently ordered. The equipment is designed ...
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Rail Business UK
D/Gauge announces Rift software to make rail gauging assessment faster and easier
UK: Specialist gauging consultancy D/Gauge has announced the planned release of its Rift software, which is designed to make clearance assessments easier and safer while also saving time. ‘The incumbent application used in the industry requires an elevated level of technical understanding and can take ...
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News
Tests suggest 30% cost saving using distributed power with LTE
EUROPE: Initial results have confirmed the feasibility of operating long freight trains with distributed power using LTE technology, and the potential for significant cost savings.
