Assessing Telecommunications requirements for rail projects

Brian Spaull - Synergy Signalling P/L

Who is this bloke?

• Brian Spaull, a 38 year veteran of the railway system

• Commenced career as railway signalling apprentice and recently certified as knowing the difference between go and stop

• Too many years to remember as a signalling maintainer before graduating to the dizzy heights of signal engineer

• Established Synergy Signalling P/L, contracts as Testing and Commissioning Engineer/Manager for major NSW and interstate rail projects

• Has seen the light and understands the traditional importance of telecommunications in rail and the opportunities going forward

Out the back in the comms room….• Steve Preston, a survivor of 30 years in NSW railway comms

• Commenced a communications apprenticeship for his adventure into maintenance, construction and management activities

• Handed over his position managing the NSW communications team in 2004 for a “different” life of contract project work including Train control consolidation, ICE radio and more recently SSFL & MFN works

• Family lineage unbroken to start of NSW rail operations in 1855

• Qualified to “Play” trains on the network

• Active in the heritage rail sector

Looking back: The right way, the wrong way and the Railway

• The traditional rail system was a network of attended mechanical signal boxes, run on bells & signals, voice was mostly optional and data manually collated with pen and paper!

• Many railway communications and control systems were built and maintained in house, often copied, tailored or “butchered” for unique arrangements.

• Systems evolved but use of new ways was fragmented and not always mandated.

• Connection to outside the network was rare unless you knew the switchboard girl!

• Railway communications networks epitomised equipment diversity

Moss Vale Signal Box comms: 2005

• CTC circuit panel for Unanderra branch

• Radio heads for Mountain, WB and maintenance systems

• Phones for Train Control and admin

• Intercom to local Station Master

• Yard & SPT Magneto circuit key box

• Whistle out circuit for depot

• Non recorded admin phone

• PC for intranet and admin

• 1 Signalman, 11 comms interfaces

Comms on the move….• Traditionally the signalling discipline governed control system and

telecommunications service groups in rail but the priorities have shifted - the long suppressed communications discipline has risen and the road ahead is uni-directional!

• Signals have been replaced with on board authorities delivered electronically by vital communications links

• Data & diagnostics are shrinking the workforce and expanding functionality

• “Green field” rail projects increasing but new systems can often still not be employed without adaption or integration into “Brown field” situations.

• External comms suppliers are now the norm and also maintain and/or manage the networks.

Assessing Rail Comms 101- lessons learnt along the way

• Existing rail systems and procedures require careful review

• Stake holder consultation

• Just because something looks redundant doesn't mean it is!

• Adaption of old technology systems can significantly affect scope & budget. “Modern” systems like ATRICS can be just as challenging.

• Expect the unexpected, know what you don’t know.

• There are a lot who claim to know railway comms, watch out for the galahs!

MFN: The Enfield Task• Decommission Enfield Signal Box

• Transfer of signalling control and comms to Junee

• Interface to existing SSI interlocking for remote control by Phoenix

• Decommissioning of SPT’s and redundant comms

• Maintain interfaces with Sydney Trains and Pacific National operations

• Decommission local control panel

• Separation of assets from Sydney Trains

• Provide capability for future staging roads

The Enfield Solution• Transfer of ED Interlocking control to Junee NCCS Sydney 2 NC

• Implement interface to SSI I/L for remote control by Phoenix

• Planned interlocking upgrade to Westlock

• Kingfisher connected by Next G and PSTN connection

• Junee controller VCS commissioned

• CountryNet/ICE radio territory transferred

• Separation of assets from Sydney Trains

• Local protocols & procedures reviewed and updated

The road behind

All donations to the Signalling and Communications museum will be gratefully accepted!

The road ahead• ATMS, ATP, ATO, ETCS L2 and other future systems will be

hungry for reliable communications to support operations

• Performance, reliability and availability of communications systems critical

• Longevity of equipment/technology

• Wireless systems are the new black but can they deliver?

• Type Approval for communications equipment.

• The old ways will finally be retired –

Type Approval – The Devil in the Detail!!

Questions?