Technology news – Page 72
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NewsSICK introduces high performance inspection camera
CAMERA: SICK has launched the Range3 high-definition streaming camera for use with rolling stock and track inspection systems. According to the manufacturer, the CMOS sensor provides high-speed image processing in a compact device capable of capturing 7 000 profiles/sec. This enables the 3D shape of an object to be recorded ...
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NewsTÜV Süd acquires SNC-Lavalin’s instrumented wheelset technology
EUROPE: TÜV Süd announced the acquisition of SNC-Lavalin’s IWT4 instrumented wheelset technology business on February 27, saying this would strengthen its position as a one-stop-shop for the independent assessment, testing and approval of rolling stock. The IWT4 instrumentation is applied to the wheelset without any structural modification, ensuring structural integrity ...
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NewsCustom announcements to create an audio brand for DB stations
GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn subsidiary DB Station&Service has appointed Acapela Group to create digital public address announcements for use at its 5 400 stations. Acapela said the German-language announcements would be custom-made to provide a ‘pleasant unique voice experience’, with an audio brand identity that would be recognisable as belonging to ...
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Rail Business UKAlexa skill enables passengers to book travel assistance
UK: Virgin Trains has launched a ‘skill’ for Amazon Alexa virtual assistants which enables passengers with disabilities to book assistance for their journey using simple voice commands. The JourneyCare service usually requires users to fill in an online form or call a helpline after booking, which involves repeating information which ...
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NewsSBB joins openETCS Foundation
EUROPE: Swiss Federal Railways has become the 18th member of the openETCS Foundation, which provides a platform to exchange experience and jointly initiate train control and automation projects using open source software and open innovation concepts. Other members include railway operators such as DB, NS and SNCF, plus the UK’s ...
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Rail Business UKDigital technology aims to improve rail accessibility
ACCESSIBILITY: The TOC Ability consortium has published a report into the use of digital technology to improve the accessibility of the UK rail network by enabling disabled passengers to share their journey requirements with train operators while protecting their privacy. The consortium comprises Atkins, Arriva, Enable iD, Goss Consultancy, Loughborough ...
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NewsIBASE launches railway computer
COMPUTER: Industrial embedded computer manufacturer IBASE Technology has released the MPT-3000RP fanless embedded PC developed for railway applications. This EN50155-TX-certified and IP67-rated unit offers water and shock resistance for outdoor applications and meets Intelligent Internet of Vehicle requirements. The MPT-3000RP is powered by an Intel Atom E3845 processor with 4GB ...
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NewsFire-resistant ethernet cables launched
CABLES: Nexans has launched its Flamex Ethernet FR range of fire-resistant communication cables, which are designed to maintain their integrity during a fire so that train crew can continue using key communication and control systems. When exposed to fire, the cable insulation, transforms from a flexible plastic covering to a ...
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Metro Report InternationalAutonomous tram under development in Russia
RUSSIA: Tram builder PK Transportnye Systemy is working with Cognitive Technologies to develop a prototype autonomous tram. A Vityaz-M vehicle is being fitted with 10 to 20 video cameras and up to 10 radar sensors, in addition to Cognitive’s Low Level Data Fusion technology, which processes the raw data. ...
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NewsPhase change material cooled container developed
CONTAINER: The University of Birmingham and CRRC Shijiazhuang have developed a container that uses phase change material in place of traditional refrigeration technology. The material changes between liquid and solid depending on the temperature, with the phase change absorbing or releasing energy to maintain the interior of the container ...
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Metro Report InternationalPay tax at metro ticket machines
INDIA: Lucknow residents can now use their GoSmart Card tickets to pay house and property taxes at the metro‘s ticket machines, and the system is to be extended to cover other bills. Receipts are issued providing details of the tax payments made, and payments appear in the user’s account ...
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Rail Business UKLong-life screwbolts developed for Crossrail
UK: The bespoke corrosion-resistant PLUS bolt was developed by screwbolt specialist Excalibur to meet the demanding requirements of the Crossrail project in London. Crossrail Ltd requires anchors used in the tunnel lining to demonstrate a 120-year design life instead of the standard 50-year span of a standard fixing. The twin-helix ...
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NewsTrimble technology to support Norwegian fleet management
NORWAY: State-owned rolling stock leasing organisation Norske Tog is to deploy Trimble’s E2M engineering asset and maintenance management system on the fleet of vehicles it is to lease to operating contractors. This is intended to provide the vehicle owner and the operators with an overview of the key data needed ...
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NewsDigital payment launched on Guangzhou – Shenzhen line
CHINA: Guangshen Railway Co says it is the first inter-city operator in China to introduce digital payment for travel on its services, which link Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The system uses Alipay’s e-wallet payment technology. Users register on the Alipay app, and generate a QR code which is scanned on ...
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NewsDB launches digital research train
GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn has unveiled a four-car laboratory train which will be available to the rail sector across Germany for testing digital technologies. Branded the Advanced TrainLab, the train is a former ICE-TD diesel-electric set able to run at 200 km/h. One of the train’s first duties ...
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Metro Report InternationalRambus and Worldline join up the journey
TICKETING: Smart ticketing offers a ‘real opportunity to join up the journey’, according to Russell McCullagh, Managing Director of Rambus Ticketing. Ticketing in the UK bus and metro sectors has been ‘revolutionised’ by technology in recent years, and the national rail network is now a key sector for development. ...
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Rail Business UKIMechE recommends electrification instead of hydrogen trains
HYDROGEN: Although investment in hydrogen-fuelled trains is a ‘vital’ part of the process to improve air quality, it must not be seen as an easy replacement for electrification, according to The Future for Hydrogen Trains in the UK published by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on February 7. The report ...
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Metro Report InternationalA more intelligent journey planner
PLANNING: Siemens’ timetabling and journey planning software business HaCon is developing a module for its travel planning software suite which uses artificial intelligence to learn about a user’s preferences. This could learn a passenger’s preferred transport modes and how far they are willing to walk, and then suggest personalised ...
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NewsČD to test battery-equipped EMUs
CZECH REPUBLIC: National passenger operator ČD and Škoda Transportation are to retrofit two Class 650 RegioPanter electric multiple-units with battery packs to enable operation on non-electrified tracks. The two units will be tested on regional services around Brno from late 2019. The lithium-titanate batteries and a BMS control unit ...
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Metro Report InternationalExpanding range of onboard sales technology
RETAILING: Electronic point of sale company ECR is expanding from the onboard catering sales sector into ticketing technology, offering machines with a range of communication and ticket reading options, including 4G and wi-fi, 1D and 2D barcodes and chip & PIN payment. The Go2 TicketPoS machine has been certified ...