Governments must overhaul the rail industry’s train control system or risk abandoning the sector to increased running costs and inefficiency,
Governments must overhaul the rail industry’s train control system or risk abandoning the sector to increased running costs and inefficiency, the peak rail body warns.
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) says the Australian Digital Train Control System is outdated and cumbersome, limiting the industry’s productivity amid a surge in rail freight transport.
ARA Chief Executive says there are currently 22 train control radio networks in Australia, which means every freight train needs to be fitted with up to eight different radio systems.
“This situation is clearly absurd, and reflects the chronic under-investment from Governments in rail,” Nye says.
“It clearly impacts on the capacity and productivity of all rail operations, and acts in detriment of Australia’s economy, society and environment.”
He says Europe, China and the US are all using a single digital train control system, and Australia must adopt the technology to propel the rail industry into the 21st century.
If implemented, Nye says the control system will do away with radio controllers because drivers will only need one digital screen and one radio microphone.
Nye says the increase in rail use means a streamlined system should be used for urban and regional passenger services and inter-capital and regional freight operations.