The railway signalling system is critical to railway infrastructure, enabling trains to move safely and efficiently across the railway network.
In Australia, our rail network is undergoing a period of investment to upgrade the infrastructure, including signal and traffic management systems, to establish a safe, consistent and reliable operating standard to cater for increased demand.
We manufacture cable harnesses and wire looms that are essential to the operation of the signalling system.
What Is Signalling, and How Does It Work?
Signalling is the traffic light system of the railways. Moving trains around a railway network is a complicated business. The trains must be kept a safe distance apart and allow for their long stopping distances. With many different trains operating on the same network of lines, the signalling system is very complex.
Coloured lights at critical points along the tracks tell train drivers when it is safe to proceed and what route their train will take. Signals determine what movements are safe and provide protection against unforeseen issues and potential errors by drivers.
In modern signalling systems, known as cab signalling systems, the necessary information is given to the driver on a visual display within the cab, rather than by lineside signals. Trains equipped with these systems are continually sending data to a central operations centre to report their exact position and direction using radio-based equipment.
Signals also provide essential information to the traffic management system (TMS). The TMS is operated from a central operations centre and helps to ensure the trains run on time.
Signals In The Australian Environment
There’s no denying the Australian environment is one of extremes, and the rail network is particularly exposed to the elements in places. The signalling systems are vulnerable to environmental risks ranging from extreme heat to flooding to lightning strikes.
We design our cable harnesses, and wire looms specifically to withstand the harshest environments to keep the railways safe. Because we are wholly owned and operated in Australia, we have a full appreciation of the conditions our components must perform under.
What Do Trains Transport In Australia?
The train network in Australia consists of 36,064km of track, transporting passengers and freight within cities and across the country. Railway freight is dominated by bulk freight, primarily iron ore and coal. It is estimated that 413.5 billion tonnes of freight is moved by rail each year, 97% of which is bulk freight.
Cable Harnesses and Wiring Solutions For Australian Infrastructure
We’re pleased to be supporting the modernisation of Australia’s railway for future generations. Our wiring solution technicians are not just highly skilled in what they do, they have an innate appreciation for the environmental conditions our products must operate in.
If you need a solution to your custom cable or wiring assembly, we’d love to talk. Get in touch with us by calling (08) 8234 2670, use our Contact page, or emailing enquiries@wiringsolutions.com.au.