Technology news – Page 117
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NewsThales wins East Japan Railway CBTC contract
JAPAN: East Japan Railway has selected Thales as preferred bidder for a contract to design a communications-based train control system for Joban Local Line in the greater Tokyo area. The scope includes 14 stations on the 29·7 km Ayase - Toride route, along with 70 trainsets. Subject to a final ...
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NewsSustainable freight programme hits midpoint
EUROPE: A conference held at UIC’s Paris headquarters on December 4 marked the mid-point of the EU-funded Sustrail research programme to ‘integrate vehicle and track innovations for a more sustainable freight railway’. Running to May 2015, Sustrail brings together a range of academic institutions, train operators, infrastructure managers and suppliers ...
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NewsApp to speed paper ticket to smart card conversion
UK: Ecebs has developed an app for off-the-shelf Android tablet computers which enables ticket office staff to transfer existing paper season tickets to smart cards quickly. The app was developed for Tyne & Wear transport authority Nexus to support the roll-out of its Pop smart card. A passenger's season ticket ...
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NewsTraffic management innovation
UK: The Rail Safety & Standards Board is working with technology consultancy 100%Open to launch two ‘innovation challenges’ relating to the field of traffic management. The challenges form part of the FuTRO (Future Traffic Regulation Optimisation) programme which RSSB and the UK industry’s Technical Strategy Leadership Group launched earlier in ...
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NewsProducts & Technology in Brief
Dutch infrastructure manager ProRail has appointed Strukton to design monitoring equipment to verifiy that its ATB Vv train protection systems are functioning. Developed to a tight timescale, the technology is similar to Strukton's microPOSS data loggers used for monitoring turnouts. Alcoa Fastening Systems has introduced the Huck 360 two-piece ...
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NewsStudying the smart train
SPAIN: Catalan regional operator FGC examined the concept of the ‘smart train’ at a one-day conference in Barcelona last month. Assisted by contributions from Comillas University in Madrid, Transport for London and Siemens, FGC used the ‘smart train day’ to examine a range of energy efficiency measures and learn about ...
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NewsLaboratory testing for Independently-Powered EMU battery
UK: Laboratory testing has confirmed that lithium iron magnesium phosphate batteries from US firm Valence Technology meet the requirements for use on the demonstration Independently-Powered Electric Multiple-Unit, which is being developed by infrastructure manager Network Rail, Bombardier and train operator Greater Anglia. It is envisaged that overhead/battery-powered IPEMUs could operate ...
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NewsProducts & Technology in Brief
Bombardier has selected Liebherr Transportation Systems to develop a compact and reliable cooling system for lithium ion batteries forming part of the Primove induction charging system to be used on light rail vehicles and buses. India’s Northern Railway is testing an Online Monitoring of Rolling Stock system. This combines ...
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NewsAustralasian Centre for Rail Innovation launched
AUSTRALIA: The Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation was formally inaugurated at a VIP reception held in Sydney on November 25 to coincide with the opening of the 10th World Congress on Railway Research. To be headquartered in Canberra, ACRI is an independent organisation supported by both the Australasian Railway Association ...
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NewsNomad Digital and EMEF create remote monitoring joint venture
EUROPE: UK-based wi-fi technology supplier Nomad Digital has acquired a majority stake in Portuguese national operator CP’s rolling stock maintenance subsidiary EMEF, and formed a joint venture to offer technology for remote condition-based fleet monitoring and energy efficiency management. The Nomad Tech joint venture will combine Nomad’s fleet connectivity technology ...
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NewsUpgraded EARS for better performance
UK: DeltaRail has received Network Rail approval for its Enhanced Automatic Route Setting technology, which automatically routes trains without the need for signaller intervention. EARS builds on DeltaRail's proven ARS to provide a range of performance-enhancing functions including mandatory sequences, standard timing patterns and train priorities. The company ...
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NewsFlexible tests of rigid catenary
SPAIN: Aries Ingeniería y Sistemas has supplied a catenary test bench which it says is is unique in Europe for infrastructure manager ADIF's Railway Technology Centre at the Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía near Málaga. It is designed to measure the performance of rigid catenary, with pre-loaded force and acceleration profiles ...
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NewsCSX and GE to test LNG locomotives
USA: A pilot programme to assess the use of liquefied natural gas to fuel locomotives was announced by CSX Corp and GE Transportation on November 13. Field tests are scheduled to begin in 2014. GE Transportation will supply its NextFuel retrofit kits which provide dual-fuel capability for Evolution Series locomotives. ...
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NewsDrivers taking the tablets
BELGIUM: Freight operator SNCB Logistics has provided all its drivers with Samsung tablet computers under the Rail Information Train Assistant project. RITA eliminates the need to carry heavy documentation such as manuals and details of timetable updates. It speeds up the completion of time sheets and driver’s reports, with all ...
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NewsHeavy-duty bogie rotators delivered down under
AUSTRALIA: Heavy lifting equipment manufacturer Mechan has completed its first delivery to Australia, supplying a pair of 10 tonne bogie rotators to Downer Rail's rolling stock maintenance depot at Newport in Victoria. The rotators comprise two independent structures which hold a bogie frame in place while it is rotated through ...
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NewsSmart phone for locomotives
RADIO: Kapsch CarrierCom has launched the RC900 cab radio, which it calls a ‘smart phone for locomotives’. The RC900 supports GSM-R for speech and data, plus ER-GSM, and has inbuilt wi-fi and a GPS receiver. Its memory can be expanded with an SD card.
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NewsProducts & Technology in Brief
CNR Qiqihar has developed a stainless steel bodied iron ore wagon with a 40 tonne axleload for heavy haul lines in Australia. The axleload could be increased to 44 tonnes if required. La Farga has introduced its Dx3 Deep Defects Detector to the rail market, saying it can identify small ...
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NewsGE trials Tier 4 locomotive technology
USA: GE Transportation is testing what it says is the first diesel locomotive to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's Tier 4 emission standards without the use of any type of after-treatment. The Tier 4 standards were announced in 2004 and are due to come into force on January 1 2015. ...
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NewsEurostar wi-fi contract awarded
EUROPE: Siemens has awarded Nomad Digital a contract to supply wi-fi equipment for the fleet of 10 Velaro e320 trainsets under construction for cross-Channel high speed train operator Eurostar. Announcing the contract on September 18, Nomad Digital said it won the order after demonstrating its ability to provide passengers with ...
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NewsKonkan Railway installs bio-toilets
INDIA: Konkan Railway has begun equipping its stations with 'bio-toilets' which used anaerobic biodigester technology developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation for use in remote areas. The railway said the maintenance-free toilets can be installed in two days rather than the two months needed for standard toilets ...