Technology news – Page 10
-
NewsNevomo and Captrain launch MagRail Booster trials on steelworks railway
GERMANY: Rail automation and maglev start-up Nevomo and freight operator Captrain Group have launched practical trials of the MagRail Booster concept at a steelworks in Bremen. The trials will be undertaken by the Hansebahn Bremen joint venture of Captrain Deutschland and steel company ArcelorMittal Bremen which ...
-
NewsNS and CAF test train automation technology
NETHERLANDS: National operator NS and CAF have completed a programme of tests for automated operations. The tests had two objectives. First was to evaluate the benefits that could be derived from using GoA2 in terms of energy efficiency, punctuality and capacity. Termed ATO Endurance, the test ...
-
Rail Business UKLondon stations added to Google Street View
UK: Google Street View now includes 18 London rail and Underground stations, with a further 18 to be added by the end of the year. Google used 360° backpack cameras to create virtual representations of London’s busiest stations. These will help people plan journeys and more ...
-
Metro Report International‘Green’ train control cuts metro traction energy consumption
SINGAPORE: Hitachi Rail and metro operator SMRT say Phase 1 of their Next-Generation Green Communications-Based Train Control project has reduced traction energy consumption on the North-South and East-West lines by 8%, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 3 000 households. The technology uses advanced ...
-
Metro Report InternationalRobot cleaners deployed at Singapore metro stations
SINGAPORE: Metro operator SMRT Trains has deployed 89 autonomous cleaning robots at its stations. Supplier Simpple says the robots increase the speed and efficiency of strenuous and repetitive work, freeing staff to undertake more complex tasks. Simpple said the tight labour market and ageing workforce in ...
-
NewsAutonomous track geometry measurement supports iron ore railway
BRAZIL: ENSCO Rail has deployed its Autonomous Track Geometry Measurement System on the metre gauge Vitória a Minas iron ore railway operated by mining company Vale. ATGMS provides continuous autonomous measurement of track geometry, enabling the operator to monitor conditions in real-time and make data-driven maintenance ...
-
Metro Report InternationalHitachi Rail invests C$100m in next-generation CBTC
CANADA: Hitachi Rail is investing C$100m to develop the next generation of SelTrac Communication-Based Train Control signalling technology at its facility in Toronto.
-
Rail Business UKBreedon orders cement wagons with iWagon technology
UK: Construction materials supplier Breedon Group has ordered 54 JPA powder cement tank wagons which will be built by German company Feldbinder and equipped with leasing company VTG’s iWagon technology to provide tracking and data-driven insights into safety and performance. They are to be delivered in ...
-
Metro Report InternationalDigital twin helps optimise Hong Kong passenger flows
CHINA: The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology-MTR Joint Research Laboratory has used artificial intelligence and big data to predict changes to travel patterns and assist MTR Corp’s operations team in implementing appropriate plans. The dynamic simulation digital twin uses daily operational data from metro, ...
-
Rail Business UK‘Innovation Farm’ opens for testing lineside distributed acoustic sensing
UK: Sensonic has opened an ‘Innovation Farm’ test facility to help it develop optic fibre cable distributed acoustic sensing technologies without the need for lineside access to a live railway. DAS utilises existing optic fibre cables to detect and analyse vibrations which can provide real-time data ...
-
Rail Business UKAI tool for wagon wheelset condition monitoring
UK: A Wheelset Intervention Support Tool which uses predictive AI to identify problems before they lead to damage and disruption is being trialled by the Rail Safety & Standards Board and freight operators. The tool uses data from wheel impact load detectors and other sources to monitor ...
-
Rail Business UK3D digital maps designed to help people navigate stations
UK: Govia Thameslink Railway is testing digital 3D maps designed to help passengers, and particularly those who are disabled, gain more confidence in navigating its stations. GTR had received feedback that the existing bird’s-eye view maps of its stations could be improved, as they were not ...
-
Rail Business UKRail industry shares cybersecurity best practice
UK: ‘Don’t plan for if, plan for when’ a cyber threat will emerge, Rail Safety & Standards Board Chief Executive Mark Philips told more than 100 delegates at a conference to discuss cyber-resilience in the rail industry, The event was organised by Northern with support from ...
-
Rail Business UKRemote condition monitoring boosts Northern DMU reliability
UK: A programme to fit engine remote condition monitoring to Northern’s Class 170 Turbostar diesel multiple-unit fleet has been completed. Leasing company Porterbrook says its data showed that moving just one task to condition-based maintenance can save up to 1 500 labour-hours per year. The monitoring ...
-
NewsRate & Route tool aims to make it easier to see rail freight options
USA: Association of American Railroads subsidiary Railinc has launched a Rate & Route tool designed to help shippers more easily understand how to use rail services. It takes into account distance, cost, transit time, fuel surcharges and other fees; Railinc said rates for the shipment of ...
-
Rail Business UKNeurodiverse thinkers cut train operator’s fuel bills
UK: Northern has worked with data scientists to calculate the most fuel efficient way of driving its diesel multiple-units while keeping to time. The tool combines the specific topography of Northern’s routes with real consumption data for different train types. Testing between Middlesbrough and Whitby identified ...
-
Metro Report InternationalVibrations used to provide tramway safety alerts
UK: Testing on the Sheffield Supertram network has found that the VibeSafe portable track vibration detection system developed by Efficiency Ups Ltd could offer a reliable and cost-effective way of alerting pedestrians to approaching trams.
-
NewsClass I railway tests level crossing safety system
USA: LILEE Systems is testing its SafeRail wireless level crossing activation system with a Class I freight railway which is aiming to enhance safety, minimise service disruptions and increase average train speeds. SafeRail combines four LiDAR and camera imaging systems to monitor level crossings and tracks, ...
-
NewsRecycled copper contact wire to be installed
NETHERLANDS: An agreement for the installation of overhead electrification contact wire made from 100% recycled copper was signed at InnoTrans by La Farga, ProRail, Strukton Rail and Railtech. The 100% recycled Genius copper developed by Spanish copper recycling company La Farga will offer the same mechanical ...
-
NewsETCS-ready onboard unit certified for TBL1+
BELGIUM: An onboard Automatic Train Protection system being developed for international freight operator Lineas by Škoda Group affiliate The Signalling Company has been certified for operation using Belgium’s TBL1+ Class B train control technology. The equipment is built around TSC’s universal digital rail platform iEVC-RailOS, which ...