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Australian Rail Track Corporation today launched a website to provide information on the $90m Advanced Train Management System (ATMS), that will commence with a prototype trial between Adelaide and Port Augusta.
The website will provide information on the ATMS in an easy to use and accessible format.
The website has been designed to act as a primary communication tool throughout the program and has been created to allow interested parties to gain an overall understanding of what ATMS is, and how it aims to improve safety and capacity on existing rail networks.
An explanation of the key features of ATMS, a program schedule and a Contacts section have been included on the website, to ensure readers are informed of progress and to allow questions to be asked within a secure environment.
Background
Earlier this year, ARTC announced an investment of $90m to improve capacity, safety and efficiency on the interstate rail network through the development of an Advanced Train Management System (ATMS).
The ATMS will enable the removal of physical ‘on track’ constraints on improving the capacity on the interstate rail network.
The present rail network operates using trackside signals for trains, many of which can be 20 to 50 kms apart. Only one train can be within a signal area at any one time.
The proven ATMS system would replace ‘on track’ signals, managing trains using a sophisticated computer program and a Global Positioning System (GPS). This secures the distance between trains with an added safety margin for braking and protection from trains entering into another train’s space.
The new system is able to verify and cross verify a train’s position, speed and braking distance and being able to check these parameters against any other trains operating on the network.
The system relies on advanced communications equipment which ARTC is rolling out with Telstra from Brisbane to Perth.
The Proof of Concept program is the development of the Advanced Train Management computer programs and communications systems to demonstrate in the Australian environment how the system would work.
This will enable rail safety regulators and train operators to be able to see the system demonstrated in a live environment and to prove its capability in the Australian environment.
ARTC has entered into a $73.2m contract with Lockheed Martin for the company to design, develop, construct and test an ATMS prototype system on 120kms of the interstate rail network between Adelaide and Port Augusta.