RailCorp boosts safety with digital train radio

RailCorp has awarded a contract to design, install and maintain, a digital radio system for RailCorp’s trains in NSW, to UGL Ltd.
RailCorp’s head of engineering and projects Ian McCullough, said the radio system was vital technology for rail safety, and will replace the existing Metronet radio network, which is coming to the end of its operating life.
“The digital radio system will have better functions than the current network, and provide a foundation for other safety initiatives, such as Automatic Train Protection. Also, it will enhance communication between trains and network control in emergencies.
“The new system will also have additional functionality enabling communications between other rail staff such as track workers, transit officers, and freight operators,” McCullough said.
RailCorp’s move to a digital train radio system is in line with recommendations of inquiries into the Waterfall and Glenbrook rail accidents. In the first, the driver of a Wollongong train had a heart attack and accelerated the train so that it jumped the tracks and crashed into the side of a cutting.
In the second, a suburban train from the Blue Mountains crashed into the back of a stationary Indian Pacific train, close to the end of its trip from Perth, because the suburban train’s driver wasn’t told of the blockage ahead.
The new system will be interoperable for all rail operations on the RailCorp network and will facilitate an integrated voice communications system for train control, signalling, train crew, shunting, trackside and security personnel.
RailCorp bought the radio spectrum for this project in 2006 as the first step in establishing an integrated GSM-R system to provide voice and data communications links.
This contract for the digital train radio system forms part of a broader program of radio communication upgrade work including:
•    Upgrade of associated RailCorp facilities;
•    Integration work across the rail network to interface the new radio into RailCorp communication systems;
•    Upgrade of associated RailCorp power systems;
•    Supporting infrastructure works across the rail network; and
•    A comprehensive support strategy for the full service life of the new radio system.
This program of work represents a $272m total investment by the NSW government.