KiwiRail of New Zealand has awarded a contract to Alstom to deliver its Iconis Traffic Management System (TMS) to provide a new, fully integrated for the country’s growing rail network.

The Iconis technology will be specifically designed to seamlessly integrate with KiwiRail’s unique rail network characteristics and existing infrastructure. It will be capable of being run from either Wellington or Auckland, and will be able to accommodate the forecasted increases in patronage in both cities, but provide increased capacity and reliability for the country’s expanding export industry freight line application.

Iconis will dramatically improve the way in which KiwiRail operates its network. By replacing its existing Traffic Control Centre technology with the new, state-of-the-art, integrated control system, it will provide KiwiRail with greater network safety, security, and resilience. It will also provide greater control capacity and has the ability to meet the increasing demands of an expanding rail network.

Roll-out of the new system will take place in four phases over a period of 3 years. The first deployment will be on a Pilot Line, the Wairarapa Line; and will be followed by deployment in the Lower North Island, Upper North Island, and South Island.

Alstom will provide KiwiRail with long-term support and maintenance to ensure the system is well supported for many years into the future.

Iconis is a highly flexible system that has already been successfully deployed in over 160 complex freight and suburban networks in both greenfield and brownfield environments in more than 30 countries throughout the world. Two years ago it began providing remote support service for MetroRio in Brazil.

Mark Coxon, Managing Director for Alstom in Australia & New Zealand, said: “Alstom is delighted to be partnering with Kiwi Rail to deliver a step-change in the way Kiwi Rail will operate their network. Our innovative, yet proven technology will provide KiwiRail greater operational flexibility, efficiency and safety while simplifying and future-proofing its operations.”

“Being the first major contract secured by Alstom in New Zealand, we will use the KiwiRail TCS opportunity as the catalyst to further expand our presence in New Zealand.”