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QR's Mr Chris Formenton (far left) and Mr Barry Payne (far right)
with CQU's Prof Peter Wolfs (second from left) and Monash's Prof
Bruce Kuhnell at the OZ-ECP testing in Rockhampton.
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Australia is leading a world-wide trend with bigger, longer and
faster trains. It has been estimated that by 2020 the train freight
task in Australia will double with five kilometre and longer trains
a common sight. With this the case, optimum braking technology is
critical. While there are modern electronically controlled
pneumatic (ECP) brakes on the international market, industry uptake
in Australia has been slow. This Rail CRC project is working to
develop a new fail-safe ECP brake technology for the Australian
market, to allow for longer, heavier trains and shorter stopping
distances, at a fraction of the cost of adoption of alternative ECP
technology.
The second phase of the work, Project 149, aims to develop and test
the OZ-ECP brake technology further, working cooperatively with
researchers from Central Queensland University who are providing
the electronic OZ-ECP controller for the project. Because of
synergies identified, there is also work underway to integrate the
OZ-ECP technology with that of Rail CRC Project 2 Health Cards at
Central Queensland University to provide a more comprehensive
product to the rail industry.
The benefits of the low-cost retrofit OZ-ECP system include:
- OZ-ECP is versatile and flexible. While US systems require the
whole train be converted before it can be put back into revenue
service, the OZ-ECP system can be progressively added to rolling
stock until all wagons are equipped, and then switched on.
- modular design (easy to install and repair)
- OZ-ECP brake is more reliable as it has the conventional brakes as
a back-up
- the electronic controller can also be 'packaged' with a Rail CRC
'health card', as the power line network is already there for the
OZ-ECP
- the OZ-ECP brake can be integrated with the locomotive dynamic
brake to optimise overall braking performance.
Evaluated by STEM Partnerships in 2005, the Rail CRC brake product
was estimated to have the potential to deliver a risk-free-value of
$126 million over the next 15 years to the rail industry. Taking
into account risks involved with delivering the technology the
expected value is $24 million.
Results to date:
- Completed train braking literature review
- Completed patent search/review for ECP braking systems and related
innovations
- Designed and developed overlay ECP brake system for retrofit onto
existing wagons – OZ-ECP
- Completed field testing of OZ-ECP technology on QR wagons in
Rockhampton, Queensland in March and April 2006.
- Commenced joint research with Project 2 CQU Health Card to
integrate OZ-ECP technology with Health Card project.
- Submitted patent application to IP Australia for OZ-ECP technology
in May 2006
- Commenced commercialisation negotiations with international brake
suppliers.
Future outcomes:
- Refine product and commercialise for industry implementation.
Project Leader: Professor Bruce Kuhnell (Monash University)
Project Manager: Mr Barry Payne (Queensland Rail)
