Rail CRC > Technologies > Health card

Health card

Technology/Research:
Health card photo

The small, low-cost prototype 'Health Card'.

The Train and Track Health and Speed Setting System (TTSS) or ‘Health Card’ is envisaged as a train based system that automatically determines the safe operating speed of a train and records any observable defect on the train or track for maintenance purposes. The technology incorporates a low-cost sensor device placed on rollingstock to detect vehicle and rail track faults and capture vehicle responses. The ‘health cards’ are located on multiple train wagons and simultaneously ‘talk’ to an on-board computer system to monitor and report on train and track health and defects, and assist reduce the risk of train derailments.

Status:

Rail Innovation Australia has submitted an application to the Queensland Government for a grant to assist commercialise the Health Card technology. International transport company Faiveley Transportation have committed their support and funding as a partner for this project.

Industry uptake :

Significant work was undertaken to integrate the ‘health card’ product with the OZ-ECP brake product (Project 40). It is envisaged the two products could be commercialised and packaged together, utilising much of the same electronics hardware on trains, or the health card could be marketed separately for other ECP brake products.

Present or potential value to industry:

The project, and its associated technology, was estimated by independent consultants STEM Partnerships in 2006, to have the potential to deliver a risk-free-value of $27.2 million over the next 15 years to the rail industry.

For further information:

Dr Anna Thomas
General Manager
Rail Innovation Australia Pty Ltd

Voice: (07) 4923 2029
a.thomas@cqu.edu.au
Fax: (07) 4923 2161


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