The achievements of Rail CRC Mr David Schonfeld Research Director

What is Rail CRC? Established in 2001 under Federal Government’s Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Programme Joint venture between five industry organisations and six universities to advance research & development in the rail industry $57 million resource over 7 years for Australian rail industry

Our industry partners Queensland Rail RailCorp Australian Rail Track Corporation Pacific National TMG International

Our university partners Central Queensland University Monash University University of South Australia University of Wollongong Queensland University of Technology University of Queensland

Benefits of research Opportunities for improvement for industry Cost reduction Increase in capacity Cycle time reduction Increase in capability Corporate social responsibility Environmental responsibility

Alternative research strategies Internal research Outsourcing research Cooperative research

Benefits of cooperative research Sharing risks and costs Synergy of interests of research users Avoid duplication of efforts Combined expertise of participants Government leverage

Benefits of CRC membership Financial Financial leverage 1:4 Tax benefits Access to increased research funding Non-financial Part of a larger research effort Shared intellectual property Varied team with multidisciplinary capability Effective governance and management

Current research programs ‘Smart Train’ Intelligent Systems Track maintenance/upgrading technologies Traffic control & signalling Systems & standards for railways New materials & components Industry skills development

Current research scope Standards – revision of existing and introduction of new Concrete sleepers Communication standards Cant deficiency Development of new products Health cards OZ-ECP brakes Train Plan on Demand Noise and wear monitoring device Improvement of existing products and technologies Freightmiser Wayside detection D-Track software Improvement of existing practices Native vegetation Track maintenance Ballast degradation Knowledge development and preservation CPD programs and training courses Level crossing safety

Tangible achievements – STEM Partnerships Costs to Industry p.a. Estimated Value over 15 years (STEM Partnerships) Economic benefits $0.4 million cash $1.7 million in-kind $159 million Higher productivity, savings in maintenance costs and track improvements through new dynamic train & track model (#1) $81 million Savings in maintenance costs via wayside detection and early intervention of problems (#42) $24 million Savings in capital cost upgrade to OZ-ECP brake technology $15 million Savings in reconditioning requirements for sub-ballast $10 million Savings in rail grinding , enhanced rail and wheel life & higher productivity

Tangible achievements – Bovis Lend Lease Costs to Industry p.a. Estimated Savings per annum (Bovis Lend Lease) Economic benefits $0.4 million cash $1.7 million in-kind >$2 million Savings in wheel wear costs (#36) Improved fleet utilisation and network capacity (#20) $6 million Savings in derailment prevention and reduced maintenance (#2) $3.5-4 million Savings in energy consumption (#15) $2.5 million Savings in ballast cleaning (NSW)

Other achievements Commercialisation Training 2 provisional patent applications filed 3 new applications to be filed this year 2 licensing agreements signed $12K in royalties received Training Railway signalling course licensed to CQU Railway infrastructure, rollingstock & railway operations underway Short-term training and workshops Knowledge database with more than 3,500 entries

Case study – OZ-ECP Brakes Development of new fail-safe ECP (Electronically Controlled Pneumatic) braking system Products uses conventional brakes with retrofitted ECP hardware Evaluated by STEM Partnerships to provide expected $24 million in value to Australian rail industry over 15 years Herald longer, faster and heavier trains to meet increased freight demand

Case study – ScheduleMiser Train Plan on Demand software to improve fleet utilisation and improve network capacity Already in use at mineral ore railway in WA and being tested by Rail CRC industry partners Estimated by Bovis Lend Lease to save the rail industry in excess of $2 million per annum

Case study – Health Card Low cost-sensor device placed on rollingstock to detect and report on train and track health/faults Multiple health cards throughout the train effectively ‘talk’ to on-board monitor Estimated by Bovis Lend Lease to save the industry more than $6 million per annum through reduced risk of derailments & maintenance

Case study - Skills Postgraduate Diploma in Railway Signalling First graduates to be employed in industry by 2006 Offered by flexible online delivery through CQU 29 enrolments in 2004, 26 in 2005 – from Australia and NZ Other Postgraduate courses well underway – rollingstock engineering, railway civil infrastructure, operations

Building on Rail CRC achievements Rail CRC & ARA developing application for a new CRC after Rail CRC winds down in 2008 Maintain engineering/technical element and also include social and economic factors Application due in early 2006 Industry support essential to continue rail research & development in Australia

Rail CRC Research Showcase Wed 15 & Thurs 16 February 2006 Mercure Hotel Sydney To register - visit stand 186 or www.railcrc.com.au