Rail is the primary transport for coal across Central Queensland. Safety risks relating to overspeed events, signals passed at dangers (SPADs) and exceeding movement authorities put community and personnel lives at risk.
Australia’s largest rail freight operator has teamed up with global company Siemens to implement industry leading technology in rail safety operations. Aurizon, in collaboration with Siemens, are rolling out the European Train Control System (ETCS) technology in the Central Queensland Coal Network (CQCN) and has branded this ETCS level 2 in its business as TrainGuard.
European Train Control System (ETCS) The ETCS was originally developed for seamless train operation across national borders in Europe. It is an advanced addition to the signalling system that relays continuous information between the train and a central rail management centre via radio system, trackside technology and on-board equipment.
This information reports the position, direction and speed of each train and enables the system to calculate safe, maximum running speeds. The system can initiate a brake application and bring the train to a stop if the actual train speed exceeds the permitted speed. To-date, a total of 50% of ETCS-contracted tracks are outside Europe, with over 50,000km of track in 24 countries outside Europe including Australia.
Aurizon-Siemens Collaboration
Now, in a first for the Australian heavy haul freight railway industry, Aurizon and Siemens are rolling out ETCS technology, to monitor train speed and improve signal enforcement. The platform supports driver decision[1]making, hence safer and more efficient train operations, with fewer rail process safety issues and tools for better train handling.
It works on the principle of providing information to the train about maximum distance that can be travelled based on the signalling system, profile of the track ahead including temporary speed restrictions and other track information that has been set.
Equipment is fitted to locomotives to monitor speed and apply brakes, the wayside or field infrastructure to monitor signal states and confirm train location, as well as the control centre to consolidate and distribute information.
All are linked up using a digital data radio network. Aurizon Supporting Nation’s Coal Aurizon is a critical part of the supply chain for the nation’s export coal industry, one of the country’s biggest export earners. The company is investing in the safety and productivity of the business with the technology innovations such as TrainGuard.
Analysis of 22 mainline SPADs between 2014-2018 concluded that TrainGuard would have intervened in all 22 events. Further analysis of Blackwater and Goonyella corridors from June 2019 to May 2021 shows that more than 80% of SPADs would have been prevented by TrainGuard. Achievements
So Far Aurizon and Siemens worked together to overcome early challenges and successfully demonstrate that the technology was suitable for a heavy haul rail environment in April 2020.
The key technical challenges they faced and resolved were: a. New sector application for ETCS – Adapting ETCS to a remote 24hr continuous operation heavy haul environment. b.Innovative use of ETCS – Deploying ETCS as an overlay to existing signalling infrastructure required Aurizon’s and Siemens’ Global teams to think outside the box to find solutions using standard ETCS. c. Need for R&D – Technical development required to meet Aurizon’s operational environment (new TETRA digital radio (packet switch)) interface and modifications to ETCS to align with local signalling principles while ensuring compliance with UNISIG standards.
Deploying in Central Queensland Operational demonstration of TrainGuard was completed in 2020, with Aurizon preparing for its deployment on the Blackwater mainline (Callemondah to Bluff). Aurizon and the global teams of Siemens are now working collaboratively to resolve a range of schedule challenges that will allow the final system to be ready for use by June 2022.
Aurizon’s Robert Johnson, Project Director-TrainGuard says the company has now committed to deploying this ETCS technology across two of its systems in the Central Queensland Coal Network (CQCN).
“It is pleasing to see that we have progressed equipment installation with various testing to be finished and the system active in FY22,” he said. “We also continue to install equipment on the Goonyella system which is anticipated to be up and running in FY23.
“I would like to thank our partner Siemens for their technical expertise and their assistance to deliver this leading-edge program of work as we continue to work closely together to implement this technology across our systems in the CQCN.”
About Aurizon
Aurizon is Australia’s largest rail freight operator and a top 100 ASX company. With more than 250mt of Australian commodities transported each year, the company is a leading provider of integrated and logistics solutions across the country’s extensive national rail and road network.
The company also owns and operates one of the world’s largest coal rail networks, linking approximately 50 mines with three major ports in Queensland.
Approximately 200mtpa of metallurgical and thermal coal are transported by Aurizon, accounting for about half of Australia’s export coal tonnages. More than 10% of its coal hauled is for domestic use. About Siemens Siemens is a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport and healthcare.
The company creates technology to transform industries for its customers and billions of people such as resilient supply chains and cleaner, safer and more comfortable transportation. As ETCS pioneers, Siemens provides mature, proven systems and products for individual applications as well as a scalable portfolio of lineside, on-board, and communication equipment.
