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ROLLING STOCK AND TRACTION


The missing link in on-train communications


Icomera’s expertise in connected vehicle solutions is helping to drive the next generation of intelligent transport technologies, says Peter Kingsland, sales director at Icomera UK.


I


n our increasingly smart and connected society, reliable, fast and managed broadband connectivity is a basic requirement at home, at work and on the move. In the eyes of Icomera AB, the transport sector should be no different.


Headquartered in Sweden, the company was responsible for launching the world’s fi rst high- speed internet solution for trains in 2002 and over the last decade has rapidly pushed the boundaries of this type of service in becoming a leading provider of open connectivity and application platforms tailored to passenger transport.


X marks the sweet spot


One such example of this is the new Icomera X6 mobile access and applications router, which has seen great success since its launch in 2010. Icomera has recently won new contracts for its market-leading X-series rail-grade routers in markets including the UK, Sweden, Czech Republic, and the US.


The latest generation of Icomera X Series routers deliver faster, more reliable IP connectivity to moving vehicles than ever before. Using LTE/4G we are achieving average bandwidths of 20Mbps to the train with internet speeds peaking at 10 times that. However, going forwards, providing a super- fast pipe to the train isn’t going to be enough. In order to maintain control over data costs and to deliver differentiated performance between applications and users (e.g. First versus


Standard) it is vital to be able to support QoS features such as bandwidth or data limiting and content control. In basic terms, on-train wi-fi needs brakes and steering as well as a throttle pedal.


Winning strategy


Within the rail market, demand for passenger wi-fi is stronger than ever and appears to be becoming a global requirement, as opposed to just being focused on Europe and the US. As such, Icomera has continued to capitalise upon new contracts in the UK, Europe and the US.


At the end of 2012 we were awarded the contract to equip First ScotRail’s Class 170 fl eet with a state-of-the-art onboard wi-fi solution. This followed a four-month competitive public wi-fi pilot on two Class 170 trains.


Wi-fi services will be installed across the entire fl eet during 2013. Scotland is a key market for Icomera across both rail and bus/coach services.


Elsewhere during the past 12 months, Icomera and local partner Fleetconnect have completed wi-fi installation across the entire Irish Rail fl eet, covering 620 rail cars. All Irish Rail trains now offer free public wi-fi services.


Alongside the wi-fi rollout, Icomera has been working with remote condition monitoring software specialists Nexala to deliver real-time remote condition monitoring across Irish Rail’s intercity fl eet.


Moving from rail-time to real-time


The scope for Icomera’s on-train internet connectivity solutions is rapidly moving beyond consumers and business travellers’ usage, as ever-more systems and components within the train itself require this capability and going forwards will rely on connectivity.


Doors, wheels, engines, and electricity meters will all be needing to update their status, and the staff at the depot receiving this information will be increasingly relying on it to ensure we have a real-time railway that can shift millions of passengers per day as effi ciently as possible. Likewise, where there is disruption, connectivity will be an element in quick recovery and keeping customers fully updated on the service status.


Take your partners


A key focus for Icomera has been the growth of its partner eco-system for the Icomera X6.


This is resulting in the development of new real- time applications that are either completely hosted on the Icomera X6 router or rely on it for seamless connectivity and GPS positioning data.


Some of the fi rst fruits of this come in the shape of CCTV, passenger counting, driver applications, customer information,


eco-


driving, remote condition monitoring, and infotainment applications.


Chiltern Railways provides free wi-fi using the Icomera X6 solution.


Icomera sees the scope for the market to progress signifi cantly. Five years from now, I fully expect us to have hundreds of developer partners offering hundreds of innovative applications for transport operators and their customers.


Five years is a short time in the rail market, but innovation is clearly accelerating and with the market de-regulation across Europe, longer franchise terms and strong customer demands driven by a proliferation of smart devices, a lot can be achieved in terms of services and applications in that timeframe.


FOR MORE INFORMATION


T: +44 (0) 7980 613 928 E: peter.kingsland@icomera.com W: www.icomera.com


rail technology magazine Apr/May 13 | 53


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