The Engineers Australia (Queensland Division) Engineering Excellence Award for Research, Development and Innovation (Section Two) has gone to the Intelligent Train Monitor entered by Queensland Rail.

Mitch McClanachan, Centre for Railway Engineering, John Phelan, QRNational Coal Asset Management, A/Prof Colin Cole, Deputy Director Centre for Railway Engineering

The award was announced in Brisbane on Friday night (September 14). 

The Intelligent Train Monitor - a unique new device developed by Queensland Rail and the Centre for Railway Engineering at Central Queensland University - will improve safety, efficiency and cost effectiveness in freight haulage trains.

Most heavy haul freight trains reach lengths of over 2km, meaning that numerous dynamic effects can occur throughout the train without the driver having any knowledge.

Often the driver can't even see the rear of the train, so when it comes to accelerating and braking at appropriate times they have to take an educated guess.  This can be detrimental in terms of journey time, energy usage and damage.

The intelligent train monitor or ITM aims to improve the operation of these long trains by doing away with the guesswork.

Using data from the locomotive controls and a Global Positioning System, the in-cabin ITM displays information on history and future force, speed, elevation and energy use, as well as an aerial map.

The device is unique in the world as it provides predictive information rather than just real time information. It advises the driver when their actions reduce efficiency and gives them an opportunity to rectify it.

The ITM has many benefits.  It reduces journey time and energy use meaning cheaper running costs.   This also equates to less greenhouse house gas emissions and other air pollutants, while in diesel locomotives, a reduction in energy use means less noise pollution.

Stephen Bell QRNational Coal Asset Management, Vic Stevens, GM QRNational Coal Asset Management, John Phelan, QRNational Coal Asset Management, A/Prof Colin Cole, Deputy Director Centre for Railway Engineering, Eryl Lynch, QRNational Coal Asset Management, Mitch McClanachan, Centre for Railway Engineering

It's been found that if energy usage is reduced then damage to the train is also reduced.  Reducing damage has a number of knock-on effects in terms of safety, maintenance costs and ride quality.  The ITM improves train stability which means the train is safer and less likely to derail.

The ITM is also expected to improve night operations due to the availability of an aerial map and track grade information.  This type of information will help reduce driver disorientation and the resulting poor anticipation of future power requirements and speed restrictions.

The ITM is expected to be deployable in 50% of the Australian freight mineral market and it has already attracted interest from 2 overseas locomotive device manufacturers.