The Australian Rail Track Corporation will build a fully interoperable and compatible communications system for trains using its interstate and Hunter Valley networks.
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.
Federal transport minister John Anderson said $62.3m of AusLink funds would be spent on rail communications technology on ARTC networks.
This breaks down as $42m for the development of the train communications system and $20.3m for the ATMS blueprint.
“The communications system will be based on Telstra’s code division multiple access (CDMA)technology,” Mr Anderson said.
The technology will provide a single communications medium to replace nine separate communications systems, he said.
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.
.png){kind=small}
