Tram collects real-world data for driver assistance development
NORWAY: A CAF tram operating in regular service is Oslo has been fitted with sensors and cameras to collect data. This will be used to develop driver assistance technology as part of the EU-backed R2DATO research project.
SelTrac CBTC to control street-running trams as Muni resignalling agreed
USA: Hitachi Rail has won a contract to modernise signalling on San Francisco’s Muni light rail network using its SelTrac communications-based train control equipment.
New York: Subway operator seeks supplier support
Tim Mulligan is heading up a newly created rolling stock programme office at New York MTA, tasked with widening and deepening the relationship between the authority and its supply chain. He explained the plans to Nick Kingsley.
Philadelphia fare payment upgrade contract awarded
USA: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has awarded Cubic Transportation Systems a $211m contract to design, install and operate its SEPTA Key 2.0 next-generation fare payment system.
Iran begins series production of domestic metro trains
IRAN: Tehran Wagon Manufacturing Co has received approval for series production of metro trainsets with 85% domestic content.
MRT Jakarta introduces WhatsApp ticketing
INDONESIA: MRT Jakarta and Route Mobile Ltd have launched WhatsApp-based metro ticketing.
‘Green’ train control cuts metro traction energy consumption
SINGAPORE: Hitachi Rail and metro operator SMRT say Phase 1 of their Next-Generation Green Communications-Based Train Control project has reduced traction energy consumption on the North-South and East-West lines by 8%, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 3 000 households.
Robot cleaners deployed at Singapore metro stations
SINGAPORE: Metro operator SMRT Trains has deployed 89 autonomous cleaning robots at its stations. Supplier Simpple says the robots increase the speed and efficiency of strenuous and repetitive work, freeing staff to undertake more complex tasks.
Hitachi Rail invests C$100m in next-generation CBTC
CANADA: Hitachi Rail is investing C$100m to develop the next generation of SelTrac Communication-Based Train Control signalling technology at its facility in Toronto.
Digital twin helps optimise Hong Kong passenger flows
CHINA: The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology-MTR Joint Research Laboratory has used artificial intelligence and big data to predict changes to travel patterns and assist MTR Corp’s operations team in implementing appropriate plans.
Tokyo Metro shares jump after stock exchange listing
JAPAN: Tokyo Metro was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on October 23 in Japan’s largest IPO since the listing of SoftBank’s mobile telecoms business in 2018.
Vibrations used to provide tramway safety alerts
UK: Testing on the Sheffield Supertram network has found that the VibeSafe portable track vibration detection system developed by Efficiency Ups Ltd could offer a reliable and cost-effective way of alerting pedestrians to approaching trams.