New rail control technology that will underpin Queensland’s new Cross River Rail has been undergoing testing on the Shorncliffe line in Brisbane.
The European Train Control System (ECTS) is used on rail networks around the world, including extensively across Europe and the UK, and relays continuous information between the train and central Rail Management Centre via a radio system, trackside technology and onboard equipment.
The system will be central to the operation of Cross River Rail’s twin tunnels, and reports the position, direction and speed of each train and enables the system to calculate safe maximum running speeds. It will enable more trains to run more often.
In the first tests of the system in Queensland, a train safely completed 14 runs between Sandgate and Shorncliffe stations across four nights.
Testing will continue intermittently over coming months, with the ETCS set to be operational in South East Queensland ahead of Cross River Rail’s opening.
Hitachi Rail, Queensland Rail, the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority and the Department of Transport and Main Roads are working together in an alliance (known as Sequence) to deliver ETCS.