Australia’s interstate freight rail network comprises many long sections of single track. This restricts the number of train paths, reducing rail’s competitiveness with road, and hindering rail’s ability to meet growing freight movement demand. The interstate freight rail network needs to be enhanced to accommodate growth in the freight and passenger task, and improve efficiency and safety.
The Advanced Train Management System (ATMS) is a communications-based train control system that will replace line-side signalling, allowing:
- more train paths, to increase line capacity
- faster crossings, to reduce transit times
- improved rail safety
- improved system reliability
- reduced maintenance costs for signalling equipment.
ATMS will improve the safety and efficiency of train operations, and improve competition with road. It is proposed to be rolled out across the interstate rail network linking metropolitan centres and key national ports.
There is in-principle agreement to adapt ATMS to be inter-operable with the Digital Train Control System being implemented in some commuter networks.
Stage 1 of ATMS on the Port Augusta to Tarcoola corridor is now operational and being used as the Primary Safe working system.
Stage 2 of ATMS on the Tarcoola to Kalgoorlie corridor is now underway and building large-scale capacity for future deployment.
Proponent to complete business case development (Stage 3 of Infrastructure Australia’s Assessment Framework).