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SIGNALLING, TRACKING AND CONTROL SYSTEMS
DEVELOPING A NEW TRAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Advanced Train Management System (ATMS) is a modern, communications-based, safe-working system for the ARTC, which has been custom engineered for Australian conditions by ARTC and technology partner Lockheed Martin. It enhances the operation of the national interstate rail network, and provides a quantum leap forward in safety, capacity and productivity for freight rail operations.
ATMS is capable of providing the driver with a 10km look ahead including all rail traffic, track possessions, track speed, end of authority, track infrastructure view, and gradient.
ATMS replaces traditional trackside signalling equipment and implements intelligent software technology that allows information to be directly shared digitally between ARTC’s Network Control Centre and a train-borne unit on board a locomotive via mobile telecommunications.
THE EVOLUTION OF ATMS
After more than a decade of intense development, testing and design – a cutting-edge train management system has gone ‘live’ in South Australia.
The Advanced Train Management System (ATMS) has completed its final commissioning trials into service and is now the train control system for ‘live’ train services between Port Augusta and Whyalla in South Australia.
The system also has larger ramifications for the national rail network as it will eventually be rolled out nationwide, with work on the next phase along 1,700km of track between Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie already underway.
The Federal Government’s showpiece freight rail infrastructure project – the Inland Rail between Melbourne and Brisbane – will also be ATMS-ready when each section begins operation.
Recently-appointed Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Chief Executive Officer, Mark Campbell, said this is an important step in the process of upgrading the national network with proven technology that boosts safety, capacity, reliability and enhances the customer experience.
“The Interstate Rail Network is the backbone of our freight system and it’s crucial we have the latest systems and technology available to serve our customers well into the future, especially with the Inland Rail coming online,” Mr Campbell said.
“This will revolutionise the way we manage rail freight services by increasing capacity and improving operational flexibility, safety and reliability.
“ARTC is extremely proud of ATMS which has been ten-years in development. This product has been Australian made to benefit the people of Australia.
“This system has been developed from the ground up for Australian conditions. It has been tested under Australian conditions on the South Australian network. It has undergone rigorous testing before we brought the system into operation in August and it has passed every test.”
MOVING FREIGHT FROM ROAD TO RAIL
Mr Campbell said further benefits and applications will continue to be incorporated as the ATMS is rolled out to new areas.
“Benefits for our customers will continue to flow as we continue to integrate new features such as fuel and energy management systems, as well as better timetabling of trains through the increases of capacity on the network that ATMS will enable,” he said.
“ARTC has ensured that industry has been at the forefront of consultation during the development of ATMS and we
will continue to ensure that this system delivers substantial benefits to our customers.
“Moving more freight from road to rail will benefit the nation as our freight task continues to escalate. To be the mode of choice, rail needs to introduce cutting-edge technologies. ATMS is a key step in that objective.”
HARNESSING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
“The rail freight industry and the Federal Government are working closely together to explore the opportunities to accelerate ATMS implementation across the interstate rail network,” Mr Campbell said. “This is being done through the Freight on Rail Group (FORG) which is reporting on progress to the Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack. “Rail is an essential part of the freight supply chain and the
The Australian Government has invested $50 million into the COVID-19 pandemic has shown just how much we rely on our development of the system alongside investment from ARTC rail network to support vital domestic trade and manufacturing and Lockheed Martin. supply chains.
“While rail already has an impressive safety record, ATMS “With freight demand set to increase, shifting long-haul harnesses digital technologies to reduce risk across the rail freight from road to rail is a strategic priority and part of the network even further,” Mr Campbell said. Australian Government’s broader agenda for a resilient, efficient
ATMS is capable of automatically applying the train's brakes and sustainable national freight and supply chain network. where an overspeed has occurred and when predicting the “The operation of ATMS marks a leap forward in train train will exceed its end of authority should a train fail to take control, not only in Australia, but for the rail freight industry appropriate action for the conditions at hand. worldwide.”
For example, ATMS can enforce a train to a stop before it passes an end of authority displaying a stop indication, or before diverging on a switch which is improperly lined, thereby averting a potential collision.
“This system has an automatic safety intervention which provides the ability to apply a train’s brakes which prevents a train from exceeding the section of track it has permission to operate within,” Mr Campbell said.
“ATMS will prevent a range of potential issues The ATMS system simplifies and streamlines the processes for ARTC’s Network Control Centre such as train-to-train and reduces the risk of human error. collisions, overspeed derailments and authorised incursions into an established work zone. It also REAL-TIME INFORMATION means all ATMS equipped locomotives will ‘talk’ to each other Pacific National Operations Supervisor, Bernie Reid, said to allow ‘fleeting’ to improve productivity.” after consulting drivers utilising ATMS there were many identified benefits. SUPPORTING INCREASED DEMAND “The system is easy to use and understand, and there is no
Mr Campbell said Australia’s nine leading rail freight need to contact train control and provide times at locations businesses identified ATMS as the priority train control project which limits some of the distractions. There is also no need to to advance industry as a whole. raise or take a written train working authority, which means
Between 2011 and 2031, the total domestic land freight less paperwork,” Mr Reid said. task is expected to grow by 80 per cent. This is being driven “Once we have entered the information ‘it’s set up and off by unprecedented population growth, coupled with increased we go’. Also having the ability to see up to 10km ahead to view demand from our trading partners in Asia and rapid changes in oncoming services, any speed restrictions on the line or track technology, e-commerce and consumer behaviour. worker authorities is a real benefit. The system provides real-
Without investment and reform to increase capacity and time information and feedback with drivers looking forward to better manage demand, the annual cost of congestion in our interacting with other trains and services.” capital cities could exceed $53 billion by 2031 underlining the Mr Reid added that in the future ATMS will allow for trains to need for better rail infrastructure to combat the growth in the follow each other and have an increased safety aspect. freight task and the impact on road systems.
