Technology news – Page 86
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Metro Report InternationalContactless payment to be rolled out to Sydney light rail
AUSTRALIA: Cubic Transportation Systems is to expand its open payment trial in Sydney to include light rail and the entire ferry network, the company announced on March 12. Transport for New South Wales began a contactless ticketing trial on the Manly Ferry service in July 2017 using open payment ...
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NewsDB Netz commissions first IP-based interlocking
GERMANY: Infrastructure manager DB Netz AG has put into operation its first digital interlocking which uses an IP network architecture to connect with the field equipment. DB Netz has been using computer-based interlockings for many years, but the Siemens installation at Annaberg-Buchholz on the Erzgebirgsbahn is the first in Germany ...
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NewsIndian Prima locomotives equipped with Saft batteries
INDIA: Back-up power for the control and safety systems on the 800 twin-section WAG12 Prima T8 electric locomotive which Alstom is building for Indian Railways will be provided by batteries which Saft is supplying under its largest-ever order in the rail sector. Saft has increased the scope of its Indian ...
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Metro Report InternationalTaking the complexity out of urban transport ticketing
FRANCE: Paris-based start-up Pweep has developed a mobile ticketing app with the aim of encouraging people to make more use of scheduled public transport by removing the complexity of local ticketing systems. Pweep is targeted at casual users who don’t have a local operator’s smart card or app, and people ...
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NewsConnectors for onboard data networks
CONNECTORS: TE Connectivity has launched a range of M12 rail connectors offering data transmission rates of up to 10 Gb/sec, with full-metal shells shielding against electrical interference. Applications include data and sensor networks, train door control assemblies and HVAC systems. ‘Our compact new connectors can be assembled quickly in the ...
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Metro Report InternationalNext-generation mobility tools on show
With a focus on multimodality, the IT-Trans transport technology trade show returns to the Messe Karlsruhe exhibition complex on March 6-8, showcasing the latest advances in ticketing and passenger information systems. IT-Trans is both a trade show and a conference, covering 15 000 m2 of floorspace, and welcoming 250 exhibitors ...
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NewsChannel Tunnel interconnector installation train completed
EUROPE: Clayton Equipment Ltd has designed, built and commissioned for Balfour Beatty a 500 m long construction train that will be used to install high-voltage cabling in the Channel Tunnel, under the ElecLink project to provide an electrical connector between the national grids of France and the UK. Existing main ...
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NewsDB Cargo plans digital, low-noise wagon fleet by 2020
GERMANY: The DB Cargo management board has approved a ‘high double-digit million’ programme to fit its entire German wagon fleet with tracking, monitoring and telematics equipment. More than 1 000 wagons are currently equipped with telematics, a further 19 000 are scheduled to be retrofitted by the end of 2018, ...
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News'Passengers want to be able to download an app and travel'
It is an ‘exciting time’ for smart ticketing, Rambus Ticketing Managing Director Russell McCullagh told Railway Gazette International at the Transport Ticketing Global 2018 conference in London.
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NewsFuel cell train development funding
GERMANY: The Federal Ministry for Transport & Digital Infrastructure is to provide Siemens and RWTH Aachen University with €12m to support the development of more efficient fuel cells which would offer a longer life cycle and higher power density. In November 2017 Siemens and Canadian fuel cell manufacturer Ballard Power ...
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NewsRSSB calls for a more scientific approach to train seat comfort
UK: The Rail Safety & Standards Board has called for a more scientific approach to measuring train seat comfort, with the aim of developing specifications which manufacturers could use alongside requirements for crashworthiness and fire safety. This would take into account factors including shape, cushioning, material choice, lumbar support, vibration, ...
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NewsZillertalbahn plans switch to hydrogen power
AUSTRIA: Plans to convert the 760 mm gauge Zillertalbahn which links Jenbach with Mayrhofen from diesel to hydrogen fuel were announced by operator ZVB in February. The cost is estimated at €80m, with revenue hydrogen operations envisaged for 2022. Around 30% of the hydroelectric power generated in Tirol comes from ...
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NewsHydrogen is a technically feasible alternative to electrification, Toronto study finds
CANADA: It be would technically and economically feasible to operate the Toronto area’s future Regional Express Rail passenger services using hydrogen fuel cells instead of conventional overhead electrification, a study has concluded. The lifetime costs would be similar, but the use of hydrogen would be a ‘world first’ on such ...
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Metro Report InternationalTokyo metro CBTC test train equipped
JAPAN: Mitsubishi Electric announced on February 22 that it had installed wayside and onboard radio equipment for a trial of CBTC signalling on part of the Tokyo metro. Mitsubishi will work with operator Tokyo Metro to test the equipment on a three-station branch of the Marunouchi Line between Nakano-sakaue ...
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Metro Report InternationalDriverless shuttles on test in mixed traffic in Paris
FRANCE: A six-week trial of driverless shuttles running in mixed traffic started at the CEA Paris-Saclay research campus on February 13, and will run until March 30. Two EasyMile electric shuttles are working a 2·6 km loop with seven stops every 15 min between 10.00 and 16.00. Each shuttle ...
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NewsUK railway research network established
UK: A parliamentary reception on February 20 marked the formal launch of the UK Rail Research & Innovation Network, bringing together railway industry bodies and eight universities. Through a £92m funding package, these partners are to work together to establish four ‘world class’ centres of excellence focused on rolling stock, ...
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NewsG&W invests in last mile technology business
USA: International rail freight group Genesee & Wyoming Inc has invested in Cargomatic, a technology platform which connects freight shippers and road hauliers with a focus on short-haul markets. Terms were not disclosed. Cargomatic currently operates in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, Houston and New York, but it ...
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Metro Report InternationalHelsinki opens its ticket retail interface to everyone
FINLAND: Helsinki regional transport authority HSL is creating an open retail platform for single tickets intended to allow anyone in Finland or abroad to purchase single tickets for retail sale. The interface will be available at sales-api.hsl.fi. ‘We are building a highly innovative and advanced digital retail API’, explained Mari ...
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NewsNetwork Rail commissions cloud-based digital archive
UK: Network Rail has appointed Preservica to create a cloud-based digital archive to preserve and provide secure access to operational information and digital assets. This will include business information generated since 2002, and digitised heritage content including organisational, corporate and operational records such as annual company reports, ...
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NewsSoftware aims to improve KCS fleet utilisation
USA: Kansas City Southern has awarded planning and scheduling tool specialist Biarri Rail a contract to supply its Boss MP Loco cloud-based software to improve locomotive utilisation. ‘We engaged Biarri Rail to perform a proof-of-concept using Boss MP Loco and this clearly demonstrated that we could use the software package ...