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New Wireless System to Make Track Workers Safe ...
(25 Jan 2010, BWCS Staff)Researchers in Canada have launched a new scheme to use wireless systems and RFID tags to keep tabs on trackside workers. The move is designed not to boost productivity, but rather to improve safety and avoid accidents. Bombardier Transportation is helping fund the research in Canada to develop the location awareness technology. The scheme, in which McMaster RFID Applications Lab is also participating, is aimed at notifying subway vehicles of the exact location of track inspectors and other trackside workers.
Keith Sheardown, general manager, Bombardier Transportation Technology Solutions unit said in a statement, "Our customers have asked us if we could develop a better way of communicating the location of track workers for improved safety. We developed some early concepts and now we're looking to the RFID team at McMaster to help us complete the solution and test it."
The idea is to use radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to transmit a signal to approaching subway operators notifying them of the presence of track workers. Currently, subway operators have various manual methods of indicating the presence of inspection crews such as system-wide broadcasts or coloured lights that indicate sections where work is occurring. Lookouts notify track workers of approaching rail vehicles.
"This technology will be the first solution of this type in the world," said Pankaj Sood of McMaster RFID Applications Lab. He claimed: "We will be looking at how to create an entire automated communications ecosystem using technologies such as RFID systems, sensors, networks, data processing, user interfaces and new antenna technologies."
Train operators from around the world will be discussing how to benefit from trackside wireless communications networks at this year's Train Communications Systems Conference hosted by BWCS in June in central London. For further information please contact Ross Parsons ([email protected] ).
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