All Urban transport technology articles
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Metro Report InternationalWearable devices provide tram driver fatigue warnings
UK: Light rail industry association UKTram says prototype FOCUS+ wearable devices developed to detect tram driver fatigue have shown ‘remarkable results’ in independent testing, with an accuracy rate greater than 98%. The devices have been developed by Integrated Human Factors Ltd, following a Driver Innovation Safety ...
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Metro Report InternationalPolice robot to patrol New York Subway station
USA: A police security robot is being trialled at the New York Subway’s Times Square station. The K5 robot has been supplied by Knightscope, which develops autonomous security robots and emergency communication systems. The manufacturer said the K5 was designed to provided ‘force multiplying physical deterrence’, ...
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Metro Report InternationalTunnel dust collection train designed to clear the air
SOUTH KOREA: Korea Railroad Research Institute has developed a train which can remove fine dust from metro tunnels to improve the air quality for passengers. The train was unveiled at KRRI’s research centre in Osong on August 31, at an event which included representatives of 50 ...
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Metro Report InternationalEnergy bank to boost tramway power supply
NETHERLANDS: The use of an ‘energy bank’ to reinforce a tramway power supply without needing to build a substation is to be piloted in Rotterdam from December. The energy bank will be installed at the Posthumalaan turning loop, which is currently only used at times of ...
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Metro Report InternationalŠkoda showcases onboard safety and automation technology
CZECH REPUBLIC: Škoda Group showcased its onboard technology for rolling stock at the Trako trade fair in Gdańsk on September 20. The equipment includes a safety system aimed at tram and light rail applications, and automation technology aimed at suburban and main line operations. The products ...
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Metro Report InternationalElectric excavator tested on Los Angeles metro extension work
USA: Skanska is piloting the use of a zero-emissions electric excavator on Los Angeles Metro’s Purple (D Line) extension project. The contractor says the battery-powered Volvo EC230 is the largest electric excavator of its kind, and offers the same capabilities as a diesel equivalent. ...
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Metro Report InternationalLight rail certified ticket validators deployed
USA: Pittsburgh Regional Transit is the first transport agency to deploy a version of Masabi’s Just Ride Validator which has been specifically designed and certified for light rail applications. This completes the installation of Masabi mobile ticketing equipment on PRT’s 700 buses, 80 light rail vehicles ...
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Metro Report InternationalCroydon tram operator to use Omnibus software
UK: FirstGroup company Tram Operations Ltd is to use cloud-based software from Omnibus for activities including timetabling, crew scheduling and depot planning on the London Trams network it operates in south London. ‘After extensive market research, we identified Omnibus’ industry experience, evolving software and unmatched customer ...
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Metro Report InternationalDepot Personnel Protection System installed at Tyne & Wear Metro site
UK: Volker Fitzpatrick has installed a Zonegreen Depot Personnel Protection System on four roads and the wheel lathe at the Tyne & Wear Metro’s rebuilt Gosforth depot. The system provides physical protection for trackside staff using powered derailers controlled by road end panels. It is interfaced ...
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Metro Report InternationalBerlin U-Bahn track inspection vehicle ordered
GERMAN: Berlin transport operator BVG has awarded Goldschmidt a contract to supply a track condition monitoring vehicle to support corrective and preventive maintenance on the city’s U-Bahn network. The loco-hauled vehicle to supplied by Goldschmidt subsidiary PLR Prüftechnik Linke & Rühe in 2025 will use an ...
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Metro Report InternationalSpeed and flexibility from London Underground station staff scheduling tool
UK: Decision support software company SISCOG says London Underground is benefiting from time savings and increased flexibility following the deployment of its Crews scheduling and optimisation platform for managing 5 000 station customer service staff. LU has been using SISCOG’s Crews software to manage its 3 ...
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Rail Business UKGovernment publishes Mobility-as-a-Service code of practice
UK: The Department for Transport has published a code of practice to help organisations involved in Mobility-as-a-Service schemes navigate the technical, commercial and regulatory challenges, including ensuring that accessibility is taken into account. The guidance published on August 30 is aimed at technology companies, transport operators ...
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Metro Report InternationalWashington metro deploys higher and stronger ticket gates
USA: Washington DC area metro operator WMATA has begun installing higher and stronger ticket gates as part of efforts to reduce fare evasion. An L-shape door panel minimise gaps between the openings, and the increase in height from 710 to 1 400 mm makes it harder ...
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Metro Report InternationalCitySwift to track Blackpool tram performance
UK: A decision intelligence platform which CitySwift developed for bus networks is to be used on a tramway for the first time, providing passenger demand and performance data to help Blackpool Transport optimise its operations. This builds on CitySwift’s work on the seaside town’s bus services, ...
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Metro Report InternationalYarra Trams deploys navigation technology for visually impaired passengers
AUSTRALIA: The NaviLens mobile app and codes are being rolled out to assist blind and low-vision passengers to travel independently on Melbourne’s Yarra Trams network. The codes, which look like brightly coloured QR patterns, are initially being installed at every stop on Route 96 as well ...
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Metro Report InternationalDigital rouble to be tested on the Moskva Metro
RUSSIA: Moskva Metro is to test fare payment using the digital rouble which is being developed by Bank of Russia to act as a national currency alongside cash. An initial 13 banks are to begin testing the digital rouble from August 15, with gradual introduction into ...
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Metro Report InternationalLondon Underground seeks alternatives to full-scale driver training simulators
UK: Transport for London is looking for ‘innovative solutions’ which would reduce its reliance on full scale mock-up cab simulators for training London Underground drivers. TfL says full-scale simulators ‘seem to add value to the training experience’, but are large, immovable, and require staff to travel ...
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Metro Report InternationalFive-point plan to enhance Hong Kong rail asset management
CHINA: MTR Corp has announced a HK$65bn five-point plan to enhance Hong Kong rail asset management, maintenance and renewals over the next five years. This follows a review commissioned by the board in response to the failures of a metallic protection barrier at Yau Ma Tei ...
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Metro Report InternationalBoston and Hong Kong metros order cranes
INTERNATIONAL: Palfinger has won two contracts to supply PK700T lifting units for track maintenance and renewals on metro lines in Boston and Hong Kong. The compact PK700T is specifically designed for work in tunnels and under overhead power lines. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has ordered pivoting ...
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Metro Report InternationalDocklands Light Railway tests navigation app for visually impaired passengers
UK: The NaviLens app designed to assist blind or partially sighted travellers is to be tested at the Docklands Light Railway’s Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Woolwich Arsenal and Tower Gateway stations. Users scan a smart code at the station, and the app’s voice assistant then provides ...