Making trains go faster, more efficient , more reliable and much kinder to the environment.
If you are staying static inside the world of rail technologies then, frankly, you’re going to miss the train and get left way behind. Technological advances wait for no one, and also the business is being shaped by new innovations as you study this. Get additional facts about sustainable technology
Eurasia Rail is right here to show you five railway technologies which can be assisting adjust the way we operate, manufacturer and travel on trains. Let’s take a look.
5 thrilling railway technologies to watch
Hydrogen trains
When diesel engines are going the way of the dinosaur, and electric the worldwide standard, some manufacturers and rail operators are exploring additional exotic fuel options.
Hydrocarbons significantly less attractive inside a world where global warming is rather literally heating up, so what about hydrogen? Fuel cells in automobiles are one option inside the automation world, and could quickly see wide-scale adoption in rail. Alstom is looking to modify the game with its Coradia iLint hydrogen-powered multiple-units.
In September 2018, two units began operating the world’s initial hydrogen-fuelled revenue service in Germany. Eisenbahen is running the pair of trains around the 100km Elbe-Wesser network, connecting the towns of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervörde and Buxtehude.
Every single unit includes a roof-mounted hydrogen tank, giving a range of 1,000km - sufficient for a full day’s operation. Currently, mobile fuelling is being deployed to maintain the trains running, but a permanent facility is being constructed at Bremervörde, and can be totally completed by 2021. That’s a strong endorsement for the future of hydrogen rail.
So why hydrogen? Precisely the same logic that has been applied to vehicles and automobiles applies right here: fewer emissions, higher fuel efficiency. Hydrogen will be the most abundant element inside the universe, and its by-product is not greenhouse gas - it’s just pure water. From that water, additional hydrogen can be extracted to create much more fuel.
Away from Germany, further countries are hunting into hydrogen. The UK will probably be trialling a hydrogen-fuelled unit in 2019, even though there is certainly significant interest from freight operators in North America.
Facial recognition software at train stations
The days of paper train tickets are coming to an end. Contactless payment at turnstiles is in operation across the world, but a new revolution is coming: facial recognition.
China is pioneering this technologies. At Wuhan train station inside the Central HuBei Province, passengers can pay with “face swapping”. They simply walk up, and if their face is scanned correctly, barriers are opened for boarding. Over 30 machines have already been installed at Wuhan considering that 2017, leaving just 10 manned ticketing stations.
There is certainly one main caveat for the Chinese experience. The software draws data in the state ID database. Not all nations have such a system, so the technologies may have to be adapted to local market place requirements and practices to really take off globally.
Nevertheless, the system does permit for seamless passenger flow from station concourses to platforms. Comfort is king in the modern world, as well as the success of tap-in-tap-out systems in the UK and Singapore, alongside the improved passenger atmosphere at Wuhan, only reinforces that.
Facial recognition has other applications too. Take security. If we head back to Germany, at Suedkreuz station, Berlin, automatic face capturing CCTV systems happen to be installed. Right after a 6-month trial run, featuring 200 volunteers, authorities noted a high-success rate, that will now let them track trouble people and help security forces do their jobs. Russian have also installed similar systems in terminals in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other main cities within the run up the 2018 World Cup.
Artificial Intelligence
Machines are getting smarter, and with their improved intelligence comes improved maintenance and efficiency for rail operators.
Condition based maintenance (CBM) and predictive maintenance (PM) are two significant positive aspects when using smart, adaptive digital systems. For example, diagnostic software can predict when wheels, axles, and components will will need replacing. The same idea applies to non-rolling stock infrastructure, like signalling, or practical problems like route planning and scheduling.
Japan’s Fujitsu has teamed up with SRI International and Jourdan Co. to develop a prediction engine aimed at cutting down delays. Their system functions by analysing preceding delay information, following this up with real-time updates to operator Jourdan to avoid future delays.
Elsewhere, remote monitoring of signalling systems is coming to India. Based on systems presently in use in the UK, Indian Railways plans to set up sensors along key routes to retain signal health and machinery status, and alert authorities prior to problems happen. In 2016, India suffered 106 accidents, 60% of which have been derailments, from signalling errors so it hopes to prevent such problems in the future.
Elsewhere, in Hong Kong, the MTR Corporation of uses an automated AI system to schedule quarterly and weekly engineering functions. This makes it possible for for the most efficient use of resources, also ensuring all safety and upkeep regulations are followed towards the letter. MTR reports 50% expense and time saving using such a system.
With digital support, railways around the world are seeing their operational efficiency bloom.
Automated trains
From urban metro to complete on freight trains, self-driving units are enjoying a worldwide rise in recognition.
There are varying degrees of automation at the moment employed, even though this largely applies to metro trains. The grading systems are:
• Grade 4 - Fully automated, capable of running devoid of a physical staff member, featuring smart obstacle detection, emergency systems, and door closing. No human is necessary for train operation.
• Grade 3 - Trains run automatically involving stations, a staff member is on each and every train in case of emergencies. Grade 3 trains can't operate without the need of a human presence.
• Grade 2 - A driver is inside the cab, accountable for key operations, like door opening, obstacle detection and emergency system handling.
Over 20 countries across the globe run grade 4 urban rail and metro operations. Singapore has the world’s oldest, which entered operation in 2003.
Having said that, such technologies is being implemented in remote areas to assist ferry freight from mining and mineral extraction sites. Rio Tinto, one in the world’s biggest miners, launched the largest, longest robotic train within the Australian outback in July 2018.
Automated rolling stock lets the miner carry more than 28,000 tons per load along 170-mile stretch to processing plants from over 1,000 miles away at a control centre in Perth, Western Australia. For context, salaries had been as high as $230,000 Australian dollars, providing insight into why Rio Tinto is developing self-driving freight trains.
Aside from the obvious cost savings, though Rio Tinto spent an estimated $390m on its robot train, remote monitoring and automation suggests significant health and safety benefits. Australia’s desert has a harsh climate, so drivers are at risk of thirst or mental strain in the massive, barren distances. Get rid of the driver, you get rid of these problems.
Rail passenger-focussed apps
Comfort and comfort inside the railway world is finding a big enhance by a wide selection of passenger-centric mobile apps. Enabling customers to check occasions, acquire tickets, and even supply in-transit entertainment, anything is becoming created less difficult in the comfort of the smartphone.
Within the UK, Transreport makes it possible for users to report issues affecting their journey towards the relevant authorities, which includes difficulties like broken toilets, poor carriage environment, graffiti or litter. It also has a passenger help function for disabled people to request any enable they could possibly want.
But how about dining? Travelkhana, an Indian app covering 300 cities and 6,000 train services, is building a mid-journey dining revolution. Passengers simply enter their train number and pick a dish from a huge selection of Travelkhana’s restaurant partners. The app tracks trains, immediately after the user areas their order and confirms their carriage before food is delivered directly towards the passenger’s seat.
