About Us
CRE has a strong customer focus and endeavours to build strong partnership between its researchers and the rail industry through high quality generic and commercial research, continuing professional education and consultancy services. CRE has expertise in train and wagon dynamics, simulation, structural fatigue, failure analysis, erosion control, driver advisory systems, condition monitoring and train control and brake systems.
CRE operates an impressive heavy testing laboratory facility with capabilities in dynamic, fatigue, static and proof testing of railway structures and rollingstock.
CRE is a supplier of research and consulting to a number of railway organizations in Australia and to Rail Innovation Australia Pty Ltd and the new CRC for Rail Innovation.
Train Health Advisory System (THAS)
- Faiveley Transport
- QR
- Queensland Government, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI)
- Rail Innovation Australia
- Mr Chris Bosomworth
- Mr Mark Hayman
- Dr Anna Thomas
The key aim of the project is the development of Train Health Advisory System (THAS), an innovative monitoring technology developed by the CRC for Railway Engineering. The system capabilities will include detection of flat wheels, hunting, abnormal wagon behaviours, derailment and track irregularities.
The imminent conversion of the heavy haul railway fleet in Australia and overseas into an Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) braking mode within the next 3-5 years will introduce a trainline power supply on all railway wagons and, therefore, will provide an opportunity to develop intelligent or 'Smart' systems for ongoing real-time monitoring of train operations and wagon dynamics.
The project will take the development from its current stage of 'proof of concept' prototype to the stage of a working prototype ready for commercial production.
An immediate economic benefit expected from the adoption of Train Health Advisory System for railways was independently estimated by consultants. As independently estimated by the STEM partnership consultants [3], very conservatively assuming that 3% savings in track maintenance, 5% savings in train maintenance and 2% increase in train speed could be achieved from the implementation of Train Health System, the technology cost-benefit ratio for railways is estimated as 2.2. For $4.3 million capital investment required for the adoption of technology by the entire Australian industry, $5.6 million p.a. benefits will be delivered in savings in maintenance costs, reduced probability of derailment and improved productivity.