<p>The Australian Rail Track Corporation will build a fully interoperable and compatible communications system for trains using its interstate and Hunter Valley networks.</p> <p>The Federal Government-owned corporation will also develop the blueprint for an advanced train management system (ATMS) that will include satellite-based train location technology and in-cab signalling – developments that will enable greater coal train capacity in the Hunter Valley. </p> <p>Federal transport minister John Anderson said $62.3m of AusLink funds would be spent on rail communications technology on ARTC networks.</p> <p>This breaks down as $42m for the development of the train communications system and $20.3m for the ATMS blueprint.</p> <p>"The communications system will be based on Telstra’s code division multiple access (CDMA) technology," Mr Anderson said.</p> <p>The technology will provide a single communications medium to replace nine separate communications systems, he said.</p> <p>Mr Anderson said the ATMS technology would enable more trains to operate on Hunter Valley tracks with a higher level of safety than at present.</p> <br />