The Australian Government is investing a further $220 million for an innovative signalling technology that is increasing the safety and reliability of Australia’s freight rail network and generating hundreds of jobs.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack and Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham have announced the funding for the next major planning phase of the Advanced Train Management Systems (ATMS) following its successful deployment and commissioning on the freight rail line between Port Augusta and Whyalla.
“After more than a decade of intense development, testing and design, a cutting-edge train management system has gone live in South Australia after commissioning trials were completed late last year,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“We now look to the next phase of ATMS which will focus on planning and designing its implementation from Melbourne to Perth and linking the east-west freight corridor to Inland Rail through Parkes using ATMS as the new signalling platform.”
“ATMS is recognised by Infrastructure Australia as a priority initiative that benefits the entire freight and logistics industry and is supported by Australia’s nine major freight rail businesses.”
“The freight rail industry has an outstanding safety record in Australia and ATMS will strengthen and deliver high standards of safety and further reduce the risk of train-to-train and overspeed accidents.”
“When completed, the national rollout of ATMS will reduce the number of train control rules across the National Rail Freight Network from 18 to one representing a significant step towards skills interoperability for train drivers and network controllers.”