The pilot supports the metro’s ‘smart city smart transport’ initiative and will test the technology’s viability, both as a window and as an interactive information source for passengers.
The window, which employs a matrix of OLEDs and poly-silicon thin film transistors and features a touch screen and speakers, can provide real-time information on train delays and schedule changes as well as weather and stock market updates. The window can automatically adjust its transparency to outside brightness, and features 4G internet access, allowing riders to browse the internet.
International: Bombardier has launched a cloud-based digital service for predictive maintenance for rail signalling, which combines the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning and data analysis.
EBI Sense, is a subscription-based service which employs sensors to analyse the performance of signalling assets to streamline maintenance and prevent failures. Developed by Bombardier’s Rail Control Solutions’ Services team in Sweden, EBI Sense is part of Bombardier’s Optiflo suite of rail control services.
Brazil: Rail logistics company Rumo has announced four winning teams from its Fuse start-up acceleration programme. The selected teams will each receive Reais 200,000 ($US 37,327) to support the development and testing of their prototype technologies.
The winners are Divinopolis-based Harpia, which uses drones to alert train drivers of movement on level crossings; UTrem, from Almirante Tamandaré, which seeks to reduce the collision rate at level crossings through the intelligent use of visual stimuli; Tribuzana, from Santa Catarina, which combines artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analysis to prevent pedestrian accidents; and Lastro, also from Florianopolis, which has developed strategies to improve public awareness of the dangers close to tracks.
United States: A joint venture of Norfolk Southern, GATX, Genesee & Wyoming, TrinityRail, and Watco has announced plans to create a new GPS and telematics system for use by North American rail freight operators.
The project will be funded by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the state of Pennsylvania. The platform is expected to be launched commercially by the end of 2022 and will offer services including braking and wheel impact data, as well as position, status and condition tracking for individual wagons.
France: Infrastructure manager SNCF Network, in partnership with Capgemini, will deploy predictive maintenance technology to remotely monitor over 30,000km of line for technical failures in track, signalling, catenary, level crossings and switches
The system, called New Generation Supervision, entered service in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region on July 1, and will be progressively implemented in other regions between 2021 and 2022.
Germany: German Rail (DB) subsidiary Mobimeo has announced its takeover of Moovel, which develops Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) digital ticketing and rewards platforms for cities and transport associations. The company, which employs around 75 people, was previously a subsidiary of BMW and Daimler, and both companies will retain minority stakes.
Belgium: Septentrio has unveiled its Mosaic-H heading dual-antenna GNSS receiver, which will be available for integrator testing and customer evaluation by the end of December, and will enter full production from spring 2021.
The surface-mount module already includes high-performance RTK and timing modules as well as modules with integrated GNSS corrections. Mosaic-H is multi-constellation, multi-frequency compatible and features advanced anti-jamming, anti-spoofing technology.
United States: Digital freight technology producer Loadsmart has announced that it will expand its multimodal services to support rail and less than truckload (LTL) freight services from 2021, enabling customers to book shipments across all major transport modes in North America. In addition, Loadsmart will offer mode optimisation services.
Czech Republic: AŽD Praha has started testing of its new platform door system for autonomous metro networks at Třebenice station on its privately-owned Lovosice - Most line. The doors are expected to be incorporated as part of Prague Metro’s new Line D.
Austria: Public transport manager Wiener Linien has awarded a five-year contract to a consortium of Railmonitor, RED Bernard and VSP Stolitzka & Partner to manage the monitoring, measurement, and maintenance of assets at the new Matzleinsdorfer Platz metro station. The consortium will employ Railmonitor’s TrackSoft 360 monitoring software in combination with sensors provided by RED Bernard.
United States: Anti-icing and de-icing solution supplier Midwest Industrial Supply has announced the launch of its seasonal rail switch ice prevention and third rail anti-icing and de-icing systems.
The rail switch ice prevention system includes the Ice Free Switch anti-icing agent and Power Treator applicator, as well as track and switch brooms. The company’s third rail anti-icing and de-icing system includes the Zero Gravity Third Rail anti-icing agent and Ice-Slicer spray system.
Finland A pilot project for the implementation of predictive maintenance systems on switches and junctions has been successfully carried out in partnership with the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, the Finnish Rail Administration, and VR’s rolling stock subsidiary, VR FleetCare. The pilot monitored 80 switches at significant junctions on the network.
