The Australian Government has committed $50 million to begin testing a new in-cab signalling system known as Advanced Train Management System (ATMS) on the Trans-Australian Railway.
ATMS uses GPS to provide precise location data of trains on the network, removing the need for lineside signals.
The system will be trialled on a 1,280 km section of railway between Tarcoola, South Australia, and West Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
The project is being overseen by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). Working with technology partner Lockheed Martin, ARTC plan to commission ATMS on the Trans-Australian Railway between Port Augusta and Whyalla by the end of 2018.
“Advanced trials of the system have been successfully taking place between Port Augusta and Whyalla since 2015, and additional on-track tests, using locomotives and an ATMS fitted road-rail vehicle, are planned for later this year,” said ARTC chief executive John Fullerton.
“These on-track trials provide the opportunity for users of the system—network controllers and train drivers—to provide feedback on how it is working and exposes ATMS to real-world operations.”
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said: “ATMS has been undergoing rigorous development and testing on the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) rail network in South Australia for the past eight years and the Tarcoola to Kalgoorlie section will soon be ready for the next phase of the trial.”
