Tracking data on the tracks

TasRail has deployed a Tait DMR Tier 3 data solution to deliver improved services and safety.

Tasmanian Rail (TasRail) is a fully integrated short-haul rail freight business that owns and operates the fixed track, infrastructure and rolling stock in Australia’s southernmost state. Owned by the Tasmanian Government, it employs 260 staff and is committed to delivering transport and logistics solutions that are safe, reliable and sustainable.

TasRail was implementing a new Siemens train control system (TCS) that required a data communications network to transport data between the TCS servers and the onboard computers fitted to locomotives and track vehicles, and portable units used by track work gangs.

The existing TaitNet analog mobile radio network could not do this, but the company was keen to continue working with Tait Communications and enthusiastic about using Tait’s open standards-based digital technology.

“We wanted to work with an experienced partner to deliver another critical communications system we could rely on to help us provide improved services to our customers and increased worker safety,” said TasRail CEO Damien White.

After considering different options, TasRail contracted Tait and local partner Tasmanian Electronic & Communications Services (TECS) to design, deliver and install a complete VHF DMR Tier 3 packet data solution across 10 sites statewide. Data is transferred across the TCS interfaces using Tait mobile radios and radio network infrastructure via linking units supplied by sister company MiMOMax.

The DMR radio data network comprises four subsystems:

1. A DMR Tier 3 radio system (with dual-node controllers for redundancy).
2. A backhaul system with MiMOMax UHF and SAF microwave links for 1+1 redundancy.
3. A power system with a mix of battery banks, mains AC, solar and generator power for redundancy.
4. Local network management, monitoring via SNMP Traps such as Tait EnableMonitor.

The solution signals where trains are at designated points on the track, and enables TasRail to increase the number and frequency of trains and freight through more efficient use of the track. In addition to these gains, the DMR network, in conjunction with the TCS, has the capability to provide full automation of work orders — for instance, requesting and granting permissions to move to another section of track — further improving worker and asset safety.

The digital data network operates in parallel with the analog voice network for added redundancy.

TasRail selected the Tait DMR radio data network because it is open standards-based, provides data capability, location information and spectral efficiency. Should TasRail’s requirements change, the DMR network is easily expandable.

“We chose DMR Tier 3 because the data capability matched our requirements and would allow us to migrate our existing analog voice traffic in the future,” said White.

Images courtesy TasRail

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