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RAIL HEADING TEXT Standfirst


TECHNOLOGY IS KEY TO THE FUTURE OF THE RAIL INDUSTRY


COMMUNICATIONS WHY DATA


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Digitalisation of the railway is essential to drive the efficiency improvements that can help meet growing capacity demand, enable better environmental performance and attract more rail users. Ashleigh James, UK rail market manager, Westermo, looks into the demands and solutions


D


igitalising all aspects of rail infrastructure can improve operational performance, passenger experience, safety and cost-


effectiveness. This, however, requires fully connected technology across the rail network – from communication-based train control to monitoring the condition of assets, onboard train management systems and passenger Wi-Fi. Achieving the digital transformation of the railway is reliant on robust and resilient high- performance data communications networks.


NETWORKS Data communications networks are used throughout the rail industry to support onboard, trackside and train-to-ground applications. Onboard applications include train control and management systems (TCMS), passenger information systems and onboard Wi-Fi. TCMS is used to manage multiple subsystems inside the train/consist and serve as the interface to the train driver, staff and wayside services The critical operational and safety-related services connected to TCMS place high demands on the data communications network. Reliable, high-performance data networks


are also required to provide value-added services for passengers, such as Wi-Fi and real- time journey information through passenger information systems. With customers expecting better quality of service, data networks therefore need to cope with a high density of users to meet application demand. Enhancing passenger experience is an


important means of retaining existing customers and attracting new ones. Improved safety and security are extremely important, with increased video surveillance required for both trackside and onboard applications. Supporting data networks must provide gigabit capacity for high-definition video surveillance. Trackside solutions connecting CCTV must be


able to provide long distance connectivity and cope with the extreme operating environments, while onboard solutions must overcome the challenge of variable carriage positions and utilise modern recorders. Data that has been continuously collected from CCTV and other onboard sensors is offloaded at depots and stations, and this must be performed as simply and reliably as possible. Gigabit WLAN networks ensure fast and secure offloading at platforms or


in depot stations. Wireless solutions are also needed to connect carriages where a specialised train coupler is not available, or provide train- to-ground connectivity for transmitting video surveillance streams from the train to an operations control centre, or from platforms to support driver-only operation.


TRACKSIDE DATA NETWORKS Trackside applications are equally demanding for data networks. The railway comprises thousands of assets spread across the country, and a broad range of communications solutions are required to collect and manage data from these assets that can help to increase safety and provide opportunities for continuous improvement. There is also a need for greater predictive


maintenance (related to both rolling stock and infrastructure) that leads to increased safety, reduced unplanned downtime, improved maintenance scheduling and lower costs. Access to continuous data is key, requiring reliable connection to a broad range of legacy devices, equipment and systems. As the rail industry moves to IP-based


networks, there is a need to integrate this existing JUNE 2023 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 43 >44


INDUSTRY FOCUS


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