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UniSA's Mr Peter Pudney and Prof Phil Howlett (left) and TMG
International's Mr Dale Coleman (right) discuss the benefits of
FreightMiser with Pacific National's Con Alexandrides.
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Railways traditionally have relied on the skill of their drivers to
keep trains on time without excessive energy/fuel consumption
– a difficult task when conditions and drivers vary from one
journey to the next. The aim of this project has been to develop an
in-cab advice system that automatically adjusts the driving tactics
in response to changing or unexpected conditions to help drivers
stay on time and minimise fuel consumption. The system advises
train drivers of the optimum speed profile, to help them arrive at
their destination on time and with minimum fuel consumption.
Project 15 developed a prototype in-cab advice system. Trials of
the system on Pacific National trains running between Adelaide and
Melbourne demonstrated fuel savings of 5% through the Adelaide
hills, and 12% for the remainder of the journeys.
The new Project 155 aims to conduct further industry trials of the
technology to assure industry participants, particularly Pacific
National, of the technology's benefits and cost-savings.
Specific benefits the project is aiming to prove for the technology
include:
- Reduction in fuel costs.
- Reduction in brake wear.
- Reduction in general wear and tear on-train.
- Reduced transit times.
- Improved timekeeping.
- Increased driver skills.
- Enhanced information about track and expected train performance.
- Reduced greenhouse emissions.
Commercialisation arrangements for the technology are still under
negotiation with TMG Rail Technology and other industry
participants. Evaluated by STEM Partnerships in 2006, the
technology is estimated to have a potential risk-free-value to the
rail industry over the next 15 years of $19.8 million, and an
expected value of $15.2 million taking into account risks of
delivering the technology to the market.
Progress to date:
- Development of a portable data logger that used a GPS receiver and
an interface to the train to log location, speed and notch setting,
and development of software that estimates fuel consumption from
the data logs.
- Demonstration of a prototype in-cab advice system.
- Development of the FreightMiser in-cab advice system – this
system was trialled on Pacific National trains in normal service
between Melbourne and Adelaide in late 2004. Drivers using
FreightMiser achieved fuel savings between 5-12 per cent with no
increase in journey time.
- Further calculating optimal journey profiles.
Future outcomes:
- Development of portable FreightMiser system that can be used on
many different locomotives.
- Completion of on-board trials to prove FreightMiser’s value
to rail industry.
- Commercialisation by TMG Rail Technology.
Project Leader: Professor Phil Howlett (University of South
Australia)
Project Manager: Mr Robert Yee (TMG International)
