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Unicard Secures Partial Certification For Itso 2.1.5 Transport Solutions

Railway Technology

Unicard Secures Partial Certification For Itso 2.1.5 Transport SolutionsUnicard has received partial certification for its PSEngine PersoPOST software in accordance with the newly released ITSO Specification version 2.1.5. This achievement is said to position Unicard as the first supplier to attain this certification under the new specifications. The gold standard of business intelligence. Find out more This certification follows the UK Department for Transport’s (DfT) approval in March for the latest ITSO Specification, which aims to enhance integrated smart ticketing across public transport systems. The company completed the necessary testing for its PSEngine PersoPOST software, meeting all requirements set forth by ITSO. The ITSO Specification version 2.1.5 introduces new features, including media designed for in-wallet digital ticketing. This update aligns with current industry trends and government efforts to digitise transport ticketing, providing passengers with options for both digital and physical tickets. In response to this certification, Unicard is now working on updating its other ITSO products to ensure they meet the requirements for phase two of version 2.1.5. Unicard CTO Mike Sussman said: “ITSO solutions have been an integral part of Unicard’s products since we first certified with ITSO in 2010. We’re delighted to be the first supplier to certify partially for ITSO 2.1.5. “This demonstrates our commitment to assuring continued ITSO compliance for all our customers.” The approval of version 2.1.5 marks a significant update, occurring 15 years after the previous version 2.1.4 was released. In June 2024, ITSO circulated a draft version of 2.1.5 for feedback from its members, including Unicard, leading to refinements based on their input. ITSO CEO Steve Holden said: “Collectively we worked hard to realise version 2.1.5 and it is great to see Unicard with the first of many updates across the supply chain. “Unicard has worked hard to bring this development forward, and we look forward to working with Unicard and all our supplier members in the coming years to realise 2.1.5 across the UK.” In June 2024, Unicard secured a contract with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) to implement its systems for rail services in Glasgow and western Scotland. The ITSO-based solution will digitise SPT’s ZoneCard system, which is utilised across ScotRail services, the Glasgow Subway, and most regional bus routes. This upgrade will enable customers to purchase ZoneCard tickets online or simply “tap in” during their travels. Nominations are now open for the prestigious Railway Technology Excellence Awards - one of the industry's most recognised programmes celebrating innovation, leadership, and impact. This is your chance to showcase your achievements, highlight industry advancements, and gain global recognition. Don't miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best - submit your nomination today!

Parallel Systems Announces First Autonomous Rail Pilot In Georgia

Railway Technology

Parallel Systems Announces First Autonomous Rail Pilot In GeorgiaParallel Systems has announced plans to commence its inaugural autonomous rail commercial pilot this month, following the receipt of approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The pilot will involve the deployment of autonomous battery-electric railcars along a 160-mile route connecting two railroads in Georgia. The gold standard of business intelligence. Find out more This route will link the Port of Savannah with key distribution centres serving the East Coast, potentially benefiting southern Georgia by reducing highway congestion and providing improved freight transport options. The autonomous battery-electric technology is designed to enhance the operational capabilities of railroads by facilitating shorter-route transportation, thereby alleviating congestion on major roadways. The Parallel freight system operates by allowing small groups of ten to 30 vehicles to function in a platoon without physical couplings. This technology is expected to enhance the agility, safety, and cost-effectiveness of railroad operations. Following the FRA’s approval, Parallel Systems will collaborate with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad (G&W) to initiate the commercial deployment of its railcars. The company has also completed a Series B funding round, raising $38m, with participation from Anthos Capital, Collaborative Fund, Congruent Ventures, and Riot Ventures. To date, Parallel Systems has secured approximately $100m in total funding. The funds raised in the latest financing round will be allocated towards the commercialisation of Parallel Systems’ technology in partnership with strategic railroad operators in both the US and Australia. Parallel Systems founder and CEO Matt Soule said: “Federal Railroad Administration approval and closing our Series B funding round are two critical milestones for Parallel Systems. “Together with our strategic partnerships within the rail industry, Parallel Systems is now poised to fully commercialise our battery-electric rail system, starting with the FRA-approved project in Georgia.” Parallel Systems currently has a backlog of more than 300 autonomous battery-electric vehicles ordered by leading railroads and anticipates launching initial commercial operations by 2026. It is also in the process of scaling production of its Generation 3 vehicle, along with the necessary train control systems and autonomy software. In partnership with Union Pacific Railroad, the company has conducted tests to ensure the new technology’s compatibility with Positive Train Control, ensuring its safe integration into the national railroad network. In December 2023, Parallel Systems first demonstrated its platooning operation, where individual railcars connect through bumper-to-bumper contact.

Ontario Starts Tunnelling Final Segment Of Eglinton Crosstown West Extension

Railway Technology

Ontario Starts Tunnelling Final Segment Of Eglinton Crosstown West ExtensionThe Ontario government in Canada has commenced tunnelling the final segment of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, a key development in the province’s initiative to enhance transit connectivity between Scarborough and Mississauga in Toronto. This 9km transit line will feature seven new stations linked to the existing Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, improving accessibility for more than 37,500 residents within a ten-minute walk of “world-class” transit options. It will facilitate connections to regional transit services such as the UP Express, GO Transit, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and MiWay, allowing passengers to take advantage of the province’s “One Fare” programme, which enables free transfers. When combined with the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, the extension is expected to reduce travel times between key locations, such as Yonge and Eglinton and Square One, by up to 24 minutes per journey. Excavation work has commenced on the twin 500m tunnels beneath Eglinton Avenue West, extending from Jane Street to the future Mount Dennis Station. Ontario Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma said: “Today’s milestone on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension highlights the incredible progress our government is making to build transit infrastructure, reduce gridlock and expand access to rapid transit across the GTA.” In June of the previous year, tunnelling was completed for the western underground section of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, which spans from Renforth Drive to Scarlett Road. This section will transition into a 1.5km elevated guideway, which is currently under construction. The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension is projected to generate more than 4,500 employment opportunities across various roles, including engineers, construction workers, and operators of cranes and heavy machinery. The Ontario government is committing nearly C$70bn ($50.46bn) over the next decade to public transit initiatives, including the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, and the Yonge North Subway Extension. In December 2024, the Ontario government awarded a contract for refurbishing platforms and installing shelters along the Northlander corridor connecting Timmins and Toronto. The project includes platform reconstruction at Cochrane, Englehart, Kirkland Lake, Matheson, North Bay, Temagami, and Temiskaming Shores.

Us, Egypt Finalise $235M Railway Modernisation Contracts

Railway Technology

Us, Egypt Finalise $235M Railway Modernisation ContractsThe US Embassy in Cairo has confirmed the finalisation of three contracts between US-based firm Progress Rail and Egyptian National Railways, aimed at enhancing railway infrastructure in Egypt. The total value of these contracts exceeds $235m and is expected to bolster economic relations between the two nations while generating employment opportunities. The gold standard of business intelligence. Find out more The signing event occurred at the Ministry of Transportation located in the New Administrative Capital. The agreements encompass the refurbishment of 1,000 diesel electric locomotives, which is valued at $185m. Additionally, there is a 15-year contract for the provision of parts for 141 locomotives, amounting to $42m and a five-year technical assistance services agreement for the same number of locomotives, valued at $5m, with a potential extension for another five years. US Ambassador Herro Mustafa Garg said: “I am thrilled to witness the signing of these contracts, which bring mutual prosperity to Egypt and the US. The US is proud to be part of the expanding railway infrastructure in Egypt, and our companies look forward to playing a significant role in supporting railway infrastructure expansion, which is crucial for driving economic growth and stability in the region.” In May 2024, Alstom completed a signalling upgrade for the 250km Beni Suef-Assuyt railway line in Egypt, located along the Nile River. The project involved the installation of the advanced SIL 4 electronic interlocking system, IXL SmartLock 400 GP, across the entire line. In April of the same year, Egypt’s high-speed rail project selected British Steel to provide track for a segment of the line linking Alexandria to the Mediterranean coast, the Gulf of Suez, and the Red Sea. The contract involves the delivery of 9,500t of track to Alexandria for a 660km section of the network, designed to accommodate passenger and freight trains traveling at speeds of up to 250km/h.

Sierra Northern Railway Completes Testing Of Hydrogen-Fuelled Locomotive

Railway Technology

Sierra Northern Railway Completes Testing Of Hydrogen-Fuelled LocomotiveSierra Railroad Company division Sierra Northern Railway (SNR) has announced the completion of testing for a four-axle hydrogen-fuelled, zero-emission switching locomotive. The testing took place at West Sacramento in California and was revealed during the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) conference in Denver, Colorado. The gold standard of business intelligence. Find out more The project received funding of $4m from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to support the design, integration, and demonstration of this locomotive, with administration provided by GTI Energy. The successful demonstration of the “Hydrogen Powered Zero Emission Switcher Locomotive” paves the way for potential commercialisation in the near future, according to the company. The introduction of this locomotive is expected to enhance local air quality and decrease greenhouse gas emissions, as well as reduce noise and odour in communities served by short line railroads. Current switcher locomotives in California consume an average of 50,000 gallons of diesel annually, which could translate to a reduction of more than 12 million gallons of diesel each year. This reduction is comparable to the fuel consumption of approximately 20,000 light-duty vehicles. In addition to the CEC funding, Sierra’s funding partners comprise several organisations, including the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality District, SoCalGas, and the Low Carbon Resource Initiative. Collaborators on the project include GTI Energy, Velocity Strategies, Railpower Tech, WHA International, OptiFuel Systems, Ballard Power Systems, UC Riverside, and Valley Vision. SNR is also in the process of constructing three additional hydrogen-fuelled, zero-emission switching locomotives. The total estimated cost for this expansion is approximately $19.5m. The initiative is supported by funding from the California State Transportation Agency and the Port and Freight Infrastructure Project Funding through a public-private partnership with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District. Testing for these new locomotives will occur on a newly constructed test track at Sierra’s West Sacramento rail yard. Upon completion in the fourth quarter of 2027, the fleet of hydrogen zero-emission switching locomotives will increase to four, contributing to the long-term goal of transitioning the entire Sierra fleet, as well as over 260 switchers in California, to hydrogen-powered zero-emission technology. In February this year, SNR acquired RailPower’s assets, enabling the integration of RailPower’s hybrid technology with SNR’s hydrogen-fuel expertise to develop zero-emission locomotives.

Apm Terminals Buys Panama Canal Railway From Cpkc And Lanco Group

Railway Technology

Apm Terminals Buys Panama Canal Railway From Cpkc And Lanco GroupA.P. Moller – Maersk division APM Terminals has purchased the Panama Canal Railway Company (PCRC) from Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and the Lanco Group/Mi-Jack. PCRC is a 76km railway adjacent to the Panama Canal and is part of Panama’s logistics network. The gold standard of business intelligence. Find out more It offers freight and passenger services across the isthmus of Panama between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. CPKC president and CEO Keith Creel said: “We are pleased to have completed this transaction with APM Terminals, a part of A.P. Moller – Maersk, a key strategic partner of CPKC’s and major customer of the Panama Canal Railway Company. “The sale of this non-core asset creates value for our shareholders and reflects our commitment to optimise our assets as we focus on growing our core North American rail business through our unrivalled three-nation network connecting Canada, the United States and Mexico.” PCRC, established in 1998 as a joint venture between CPKC and Lanco Group/Mi-Jack, reported revenues of $77m and an EBITDA of $36m in 2024. APM Terminals CEO Keith Svendsen said: “The Panama Canal Railway Company represents an attractive infrastructure investment in the region aligned to our core services of intermodal container movement. “The company is highly regarded for its operational excellence and will provide a significant opportunity for us to offer a broader range of services to the global shipping customers we serve.” Financial advisory services for the transaction were provided by BofA Securities and Lazard Frères, with Sullivan & Cromwell offering legal counsel. Last month, Patriot Rail and CPKC announced that they will develop a multi-commodity transload facility on CPKC’s network in Denton, Texas, to enhance logistics services in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

Uk Railways To Be Monitored By Drones

Railway Technology

Uk Railways To Be Monitored By DronesThe UK’s rail infrastructure manager Network Rail has started flying drones to monitor 20,000 miles of tracks. With its partner Drone Major Limited Network Rail trialled the technology on the Wolverhampton and Severn Valley Railway lines, and will now begin a wider roll-out. The gold standard of business intelligence. Find out more A key use of the drones and real-time picture capability they provide is “the capability to dramatically transform trespass management on UK railways,” according to Network Rail. “Existing response processes will be enhanced by drones operated beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS), helping Network Rail to significantly speed up the verification and interception of trespassers, thereby reducing train down-time and also potentially saving lives,” it explained. Flying drones above railways has recently been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority, and Drones Major uses “Digital Tethering” to ensure the aircraft only fly in approved areas and do not drift into catenary cables, for example. The Digital Tethering system uses a “world-leading navigation solution including artificial perception and highly accurate ground-based beacons,” according to the two partners. This technology works even in areas where GPS/GNSS signals are unstable or even non-existent. Dominic Mottram, programme manager for national drone strategy at Network Rail said: “The potential for these projects to deliver a more reliable, safer railway for our passengers and colleagues is huge and could even be a game-changer.” When active across the national network, Network Rail hopes to “significantly reduce” the £1.9bn ($2.45bn) spent annually to fix external infrastructure issues, including trespassers, animals on the line, collapsed trees, and lineside fires. “Information provided by drones will mean our colleagues’ expertise in maintaining the railway can be focused where it is needed, without exposing them to the risk of the ‘live railway’, and instances of trespass can be tackled much more quickly,” Mottram added.

Mining Firm Vale To Purchase 50 New Locomotives From Wabtec

Railway Technology

Mining Firm Vale To Purchase 50 New Locomotives From WabtecMining company Vale has finalised a purchase agreement with Wabtec to acquire 50 new Evolution Series Locomotives. The locomotives will serve on the Vitoria a Minas Railroad (EFVM) and Carajas Railroad (EFC), with deliveries commencing in 2026. The gold standard of business intelligence. Find out more The order comprises 36 Wabtec EVOBBW locomotives for EFVM and 14 Wabtec ES58ACi locomotives for EFC. The Carajas Railroad already utilises these locomotives, which will now be introduced to the Vitoria a Minas Railroad fleet as well. These locomotives are capable of operating on a higher blend of biodiesel, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Vale and Wabtec have also expressed intentions to test the feasibility of further increasing the biodiesel blend in the future. Vale operations vice president Carlos Medeiros said: “Vale has chosen locomotives that have consolidated performance in the market and are aligned with the company’s focus on sustainability, efficiency and safety.” Wabtec’s Evolution Series locomotives are equipped with an advanced diesel engine technology, which is said to provide operational efficiency gains, including fuel savings, extended maintenance intervals, and reduced operating costs. The AC traction motors also enhance hauling capacity by more than 50%, according to the company. The wider cabs of these locomotives provide enhanced ergonomics and comfort, along with a conveniently accessible location for onboard systems, thereby facilitating improved maintenance. Wabtec LATAM president and regional leader Danilo Miyasato said: “Wabtec is at the forefront of innovation and committed to decarbonisation and greater efficiency in the rail sector. “We are investing in innovative and sustainable technologies and in the development of engines that use alternative fuels, for a future of zero-emission rail transport.” Recently, Wabtec finalised a $960m cash agreement to acquire Sweden’s Dellner Couplers. This acquisition aims to bolster Wabtec’s technology capabilities, support its growth strategy, and strengthen its portfolio of critical passenger rail systems.

India’S Rvnl Secures Electrification Upgrade Contract From Central Railway

Railway Technology

India’S Rvnl Secures Electrification Upgrade Contract From Central RailwayIndian public sector enterprise Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) has secured a contract valued at Rs1.15bn ($13.5m) from Central Railway’s Nagpur division for upgrading the railway electrification infrastructure. The contract involves the modification of the overhead electrification system to enhance the capacity of the Itarsi-Amla section to meet a 3,000mt loading target. The gold standard of business intelligence. Find out more The project, which is aimed at transitioning from a 1x25kV electric traction system to a 2x25kV system, will be executed over two years. RVNL also received an Rs1.35bn ($15.8m) engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract from Central Railway in February. The contract includes the design, supply, testing, erection and commissioning of a 132/55kV traction substation and related equipment for the Bhusaval-Khandwa sections to meet the 3,000mt loading target. Additionally, RVNL received an EPC contract worth Rs1.56bn ($18.2m) from South Western Railway earlier this month. The contract entails the design, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning of a 2X25kV overhead electrification (OHE) and power supply installation (PSI) system. The contract also encompasses electrical, engineering, and telecommunication works for the Rayadurga-Topavagada section of the TK-RDG railway line. RVNL is expected to complete this project within 18 months.

Alstom Supplies 500Th Electric Locomotive To Indian Railways

Railway Technology

Alstom Supplies 500Th Electric Locomotive To Indian RailwaysFrench rolling stock manufacturer Alstom has supplied the 500th electric locomotive to Indian Railways. The 500th Prima T8 WAG12B locomotive, entirely manufactured in India, was dispatched from Alstom’s manufacturing facility in Madhepura, Bihar. The gold standard of business intelligence. Find out more Alstom is providing 800 high-powered, double-section Prima T8 locomotives with a 12,000hp capacity for freight services, under a €3.5bn ($3.7bn) contract. These locomotives can pull approximately 6,000t rakes at speeds up to 120km/h. Featuring Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT) based propulsion technology, the e-locomotives offer significant energy savings through regenerative braking. Alstom has also established two “ultramodern” maintenance depots in Saharanpur and Nagpur, equipped with predictive technologies for enhanced availability and reduced maintenance costs of these freight locomotives. Alstom India managing director Olivier Loison said: “Our WAG 12B electric locomotives powered by cutting-edge technology are fully manufactured in India and provide enhanced speed, efficiency, and reliability of freight haulage across the country. “The delivery of our 500th e-loco underscores our commitment to modernise India’s railway infrastructure, especially for freight, thereby driving economic growth.” The WAG-12B locomotives are produced at the integrated greenfield manufacturing site in Madhepura, Bihar, a joint venture between Alstom and Indian Railways. This initiative is said to represent the “largest” Foreign Direct Investment in the Indian rail sector. The facility has a production capacity of 120 locomotives per year, with Alstom achieving nearly 90% localisation. This project is an example of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, with more than 85% of components sourced locally, according to Alstom. It places India among a select group of countries that can produce high-horsepower locomotives in-house and enhances technological expertise within the nation, the company added. The e-locomotives have already transported key commodities such as coal, cement, food grains, fertilisers, petrochemical products, minerals, and postal parcels over 120 million kilometres across India. Recently, Alstom signed a two-year contract with Swedish state-owned rail operator SJ for the maintenance of night trains. The agreement covers the maintenance of 75 carriages and 12 RC6 locomotives servicing routes between Stockholm, Umea, Lulea, and Narvik.