Queensland rail research an export commodity

<p>Queensland innovation minister Paul Lucas has congratulated the state’s researchers for their world-class work in new railway technologies.</p> <p>Rail research in Queensland is on track to generate significant export revenue, he told a Railway Technical Association of Australasia Seminar.</p> <p>"We have innovations such as ‘Smart Train’ intelligent systems which are being developed at Central Queensland University that will improve train safety by providing train drivers with real-time status reports on the train’s operation," Mr Lucas said.</p> <p>"There is also work being undertaken on improved track maintenance technologies that could greatly reduce the cost of track upkeep, while high accuracy GPS location systems and wireless technology have the potential to improve the capacity and efficiency of rail networks around the world."</p> <p>Mr Lucas said the Cooperative Research Centre for Railway Engineering and Technologies is developing a range of innovative products and systems to improve the safety and efficiency of rail services.</p> <p>"The research being conducted has the potential to boost our export earnings in the area of railway technologies, which nationally exceed $500m a year," he said.</p> <p>"The new technology under development at the Rail CRC will help ensure the sustainability of our rail industry and build our export industry in the area of railway technologies."</p> <br />