metro networks “Tat said”, he continues, “it’s very important to start with
pilot systems first to examine what best overall solution will fit each particular client. Very often, in fast-developing countries rushing to get mass transit in place to serve rapidly expanding populations, there is little or no overall co-ordination at a national level.”
TETRA worldwide While plenty of headlining TETRA mass transit activity is focused on the Asia-Pacific region, other regions such as Latin America are also active, with Teltronic (for example) involved in projects in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Colombia, as well as a trial project in New Jersey, USA. Te growing focus from both vendors and customers
on data applications is echoed by Actica’s Davis. “TETRA’s significance is also enhanced further through its mission- critical data technology”, he says. “Location service, for example, is integrated into the standard with the Location Information Protocol (LIP) and SDS can be used very efficiently. With the introduction of TETRA Enhanced Data Service (TEDS) – and, more specifically, with TEDS Direct Access that provides separated capacity for voice and data services – various operationally critical solutions that have previously been restricted due to capacity or bandwidth issues now start to become feasible. Examples of these include train signalling, driverless trains, rich passenger information systems, on-board surveillance and remote control.”
Staying alive Tis constantly expanding range of applications – set within the overall mission-critical umbrella – is also emphasized by Tero Pesonen, head of the Fortecor business programme for Cassidian Systems, a company currently engaged on major
Metro projects in Shenyang and Shenzen in China, amongst others. He comments: “Each customer’s operational culture can be very different – though ‘mission-critical availability’ is always the starting point for any discussion. “Some mass transit operators – at least initially – are focused
more on what might be called the basic things such as voice communications, station announcements and dynamic and role-based calling. When it comes to data applications, that ‘stay alive’ issue remains central – especially where signalling data is concerned. At one end you have relatively simple things like positioning of trains; at the other are more advanced applications such as the signalling systems and driver-free trains, which is where Direct Access features are especially important, with data devices being able to use dedicated bandwidth to provide always-on connectivity.”
Machine to machine Tis issue of ‘connected devices’ is particularly relevant given the wave of interest in machine-to-machine (M2M) communications – or the more consumer-friendly concept of the ‘Internet of Tings’ – currently spreading across the wireless and cellular worlds. At February’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the GSMA and numerous companies and industry organizations were highlighting progress in this sector. One message constantly repeated by this emerging community was that while the actual data overheads involved in M2M applications are usually very low – of text message length or even shorter – the integrity of the supporting communications channel is of paramount importance. Tis point is emphasized by Cassidian’s Pesonen. “TETRA-
supported M2M applications can help the train operators themselves improve the integrity of their own services and
Serving Scotland’s largest city, the Glasgow Subway is the world’s third oldest underground metro system – but it is equipped with the most up-to-date digital mobile communications. TETRA coverage is provided by the national public safety operator Airwave, and radio terminals from Sepura have been supplied through Arqiva, which was responsible overall for train radio and communications control systems. Mobile radios mounted in the cab are interfaced with on-board applications, while handportable radios are carried by station staff, maintenance staff and supervisors – and also by drivers, in case of events or incidents which may take them out of their cab or on to the track
18 TE TRA TODAY Issue 2 February - April 2011
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
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