Train Health Advisory System (THAS)

Project Manager:

Prof Colin Cole

Sponsor Organisations:

• Faiveley Transport
• QR
• Queensland Government, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI)
• Rail Innovation Australia

Staff Members:

• Mr Chris Bosomworth
• Mr Mark Hayman
• Dr Anna Thomas

Objectives

The key aim of the project is the development of Train Health Advisory System (THAS), an innovative monitoring technology developed by the CRC for Railway Engineering. The system capabilities will include detection of flat wheels, hunting, abnormal wagon behaviours, derailment and track irregularities.

Background

The imminent conversion of the heavy haul railway fleet in Australia and overseas into an Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) braking mode within the next 3-5 years will introduce a trainline power supply on all railway wagons and, therefore, will provide an opportunity to develop intelligent or 'Smart' systems for ongoing real-time monitoring of train operations and wagon dynamics.

Outcomes

The project will take the development from its current stage of 'proof of concept' prototype to the stage of a working prototype ready for commercial production.

An immediate economic benefit expected from the adoption of Train Health Advisory System for railways was independently estimated by consultants. As independently estimated by the STEM partnership consultants [3], very conservatively assuming that 3% savings in track maintenance, 5% savings in train maintenance and 2% increase in train speed could be achieved from the implementation of Train Health System, the technology cost-benefit ratio for railways is estimated as 2.2. For $4.3 million capital investment required for the adoption of technology by the entire Australian industry, $5.6 million p.a. benefits will be delivered in savings in maintenance costs, reduced probability of derailment and improved productivity.