At an exhibition to be held in the USA next week, Hitachi Rail will launch new and improved products that will demonstrate the company’s solutions to digital train control and signalling that can help railways maximize their long-term investment.

At the 2023 Railway Systems Supplies, Inc. (RSSI) Communication & Signaling (C&S) exhibition, which is being staged in Indianapolis, Indiana from tomorrow, Sunday 1 to Wednesday, 4 October, Hitachi Rail will introduce several new innovations in the areas of Automation and Digitalization.

Among the new products is an Onboard Positive Train Control (PTC) system designed for both freight and computer rail operations. It incorporates a modern, multiprocessor architecture to run both vital and non-vital applications, developed from many years of onboard train control experience from previous Hitachi Rail platforms. It has been designed so that existing PTC systems can easily be upgraded, and simplifies the installation process on existing PTC-equipped locomotives.

Two upgraded switch machines will be shown, the new Gen II M23 and M3, which are suitable for both freight and mass transit installations. These retain the proven, core technology that ensured reliability of the original M23 and M3 safe many decades, but have been improved to simplify installation and maintenance at a time when the time available for track maintenance is being much reduced.

On the signalling side, Hitachi’s ViPro® processor for its MicroLok II wayside signalling platform combines core train control capabilities with next-generation communications and remote monitoring. It is supported by EasyRail® Design and Simulation tools that simplify the building and testing of vital and non-vital applications. In addition, advanced analytics over wayside data are provided by EasyRail® Connect, which provides remote monitoring and diagnostics application for the MicroLok II platform.

On the track, Hitachi Rail has also launched a new Digital Track Circuit, DGTRACK, which uses digital audio frequencies and has recently been installed and launched on a major North American passenger train operator. In use, DGTRACK continuously detects a train presence within mainline track circuit blocks (except through interlocking), and transmits cab speed command signals to the train. DGTRACK is part of Hitachi Rail’s FDC 3G wayside signalling platform, which provides train control functions in a modern, vital platform.

Miles Metschke, Director of Product Management, North America stated, “We are excited to bring the Hitachi PTC Onboard platform to the industry, and it will enable freight and passenger rail operations to operate at higher levels of safety and efficiently.

“Its unique hot standby technology also increases reliability of the system. We have also planned for the future of train control by including additional expansion capabilities, which allows railroads to maximize their investment for the long-term.”

Joseph Pozza, President of Hitachi Rail, North America, stated, “We have a long history of delivering great products for the rail industry. We continue to invest in our core products, as well as new digital technologies to provide our customers with modern communication and analytics capabilities. Our commitment to innovation is driving the evolution of rail train control systems, making rail more sustainable and resilient.”