Wabtec, Australian Rail Track ink systems, software pact

Wabtec Corp. yesterday announced it has obtained a digital solutions agreement with Australian Rail Track Corp. (ARTC).

The two companies will collaborate on developing one of the few approaches being considered to address the interoperability of rail systems in Australia, Wabtec officials said in a press release.

Wabtec will investigate the capabilities of ARTC’s advanced train management system (ATMS) solution and develop the interoperability standard between ATMS and the European rail traffic management system, Level 2.

The proposed solution will provide ARTC with software, systems and services to unlock productivity, advance sustainability and enhance the safety of its network, which spans abut 5,500 miles, Wabtec officials said.

"This project will be a key building block that enables ARTC to transform Australia’s freight-rail network," said Nalin Jain, Wabtec's president of digital intelligence.

ARTC recognizes the complex challenge of solving interoperability, said Wayne Johnson, the company's CEO and managing director.

"We are pursuing multiple pathways to find a feasible solution that will help to make rail safer and more competitive across Australia," he said.