Customer Requirements
RailCorp manages Australia's largest and busiest rail network and to ensure safety it needed an effective, reliable communication system linking drivers, train controllers and other staff. Every day, Sydney's CityRail metropolitan rail system operates around 2,300 services, transporting more than 900,000 passengers – an incredibly complex task that demands the utmost reliability from its rail communications network. High fleet availability requirements also demanded a radio system maintenance capability able to meet stringent return-to-service targets of 90 minutes in central Sydney and up to three hours in country areas. Effective rail communications – particularly the ability to broadcast messages, deliver alerts and support driver-to-driver communication – is a central requirement in RailCorp's commitment to safety
Solution
We supplied and maintain RailCorp's MetroNet train radio network. The MetroNet system enables secure transmission of voice and data communications between train drivers, signallers and controllers, and consistently delivers service availability of 99.8 per cent. The Siemens MetroNet network comprises 194 base stations, 52 signaller positions, six train controller positions, and more than 1,000 trains equipped with Siemens communications technology.
Benefits
Our solution included:
- Radio communications
- Reliability, with service availability performance consistently above 99.8 per cent.
- Effective communication systems linking drivers, signallers, train controllers and other staff
- Dedicated Siemens technical support team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Maintenance services and spare parts management
- Software upgrades and continuous enhancements
- Support for continuous network expansion
- Effective training and knowledge transfer to RailCorp drivers and staff
- Smooth transition to future technology