The Australian Rail Track Corporation is trialling the Advanced Train Management System (ATMS) between Crystal Brook and Port Augusta as part of a $500 million plan to enable longer trains to run closer together on the same track.

It is being developed by Lockheed Martin, one of the world’s largest defence contractors, and incorporates Telstra’s 3G network.

The corporation has spent more than $90 million so far on the trial, which is about two-thirds complete.

The system uses trackside transmitters and GPS transmitters on the front and rear of trains, which are up to 2km long. The transmitters send data about a train’s exact location through the 3G network and satellites. An operator at a network control centre would monitor the train and communicate with the driver via voice and data.

ARTC spokesman Brad Emery said freight trains running on the same line must be kept between 10km to 15km apart because their exact location was only known within a general area.

“If we can shrink that gap and safety margin down to 2km, we would obviously get more trains on the track and this system will allow us to do that,” Mr Emery said. “It’s about getting more trains and more freight on the north-south and east-west tracks.”

The new system would allow a train to be remotely slowed or stopped in an emergency situation.

Mr Emery said the technology was being developed at Lockheed Martin’s Colorado base and tested in South Australia because of the terrain.

Tram, Bus and Rail Union secretary Ashley Waddell said it was not known if rail companies would try to introduce driver-only trains if the ATMS trial were successful.

“There are other things like fatigue management impediments that must be taken into account, so ATMS doesn’t automatically mean driver-only trains,” he said.

Mr Waddell said the union would be closely monitoring the situation.

If the trial is successful the system will be used on the ARTC’s 10,000km national rail network.

via AdelaideNow

Cr Bruce Johansen’s petition, on behalf of long-suffering Le Fevre Peninsula residents, is calling for a halt to train movements from 10pm-6am.

“Most were happy to sign it, some were ecstatic to sign it,” Cr Johansen said after doorknocking along the rail line last week.

“People have a right to a good night’s sleep.”

Cr Johansen will table the petition at next week’s Port Adelaide Enfield Council meeting and seek support from the council to lobby the state and federal governments for a curfew.

He said several residents had mentioned fearing there was an earthquake before realising they had been woken up by trains following the recent media coverage of devastating quakes in Japan and New Zealand.

Residents have previously complained of being persistently woken by trains, sometimes several times a night.

The state Transport Department has repeatedly said the duplication of the rail line in 2007 had ensured noise was within acceptable standards, so nothing more would be done.

via Messenger News

The commission supported the plan at a hearing last month but the recommendation was withdrawn when more than 30 people, who had lodged written submissions, were mistakenly not given a chance to speak.

Under the plan, lodged by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), the maximum train length would stretch from 1.5km to 1.8km.

But the 2km-long loop, which would allow trains to pass and overtake each other, must be approved by Planning Minister John Rau before it can be built.

Greens MLC Mark Parnell, who voiced his objection at a rescheduled hearing last week, believed it was highly unlikely the commission would change its stance.

“My expectation is that they will make exactly the same decision they made previously and support the loop,” he said.

The plan is part of a $76 million federal government project to build seven crossing loops between Adelaide and Melbourne to allow longer trains and double rail capacity.

Mr Parnell, who lodged a written submission against the proposal, said plans for a northern bypass would render the loop “redundant” and a “waste of money”.

He also said the commission apologised for failing to notify him of the initial hearing.

“I have a right to have my say and they denied me of my right,” he said.

Former Mitcham Rail Freight Committee chair and Mitcham councillor Mark Ward said the plan was “short-sighted” and “must be stopped”.

“Any approvals by the DAC on this issue and any progression by the State Government is a complete waste of taxpayers’ money,” he said.

“What’s going to be needed in 15 years time is a bypass and you’ve got to start planning it now … not focusing on short-term solutions.”

ARTC communications manager Brad Emery said the loop was “far from a waste of money”.

“Even if a northern bypass was ticked off tomorrow, it would still take 10 to 15 years to plan and build,” he said.

A DAC spokeswoman said the commission was preparing a recommendation for the minister but could not say when it would be finalised.

via Messenger News

The Mitcham Rail Task Force, which will take over from the Mitcham Rail Freight Committee, will have up to 15 members and begin meeting in a few months.

Mitcham councillor and former Mitcham Rail Freight Committee chair Mark Ward said the new taskforce would ramp up the fight for a northern bypass to rid the area of wheel squeals and traffic delays.

“We have a number of proactive, experienced, professional and passionate people willing to continue pushing the issue,” he said.

Cr Ward said council administration would help to form the group’s terms of reference before calling for expressions of interest for members in the next two months.

He said the previous committee had achieved “way beyond what we had set out to do”.

“The task of that committee had finished,” he said.

“It was always intended to go to the end of the (previous) council’s life.”

The new taskforce will work in conjunction with the Northlink Reference Group, which was set up last year to lobby for the bypass and includes representatives from five councils.

Mitcham Mayor Michael Picton said it was about time a new local group was set up.

“It’s a new council, the work the previous committee had done had been finalised, the report (Adelaide Rail Freight Movements study) had come out from the government and it’s time to perhaps take a different tack on this,” he said.

The Local Government Association is considering establishing its own rail freight group, including members from metropolitan and regional councils, to also push for a northern bypass.

In an emailed response, LGA president Felicity-ann Lewis said the association would consider the council’s proposal at a March meeting of the LGA’s State Executive Committee.

via Messenger News

Police were alerted to the alleged fare evaders after they were spotted riding between containers on the Adelaide to Melbourne freight train near Mt Lofty about 1am last night.

Police went to Woodside Rd, Nairne, where they allegedly saw the duo on the train.

After a call to train control, the train was stopped near a railway siding at Callington where police say they found the two 20-year-old men.

One of the men, from Croydon, was arrested and charged with riding on rolling stock when not permitted and giving a false name and address.

He is expected to appear in the Mt Barker Magistrates Court today.

The second man, of no fixed address, was issued with an expiation notice, totalling $810, for riding on rolling stock when not permitted.

via AdelaideNow