Proceedings 2002/2003 - IRSE

SYDNEY HOSTS 2002 CONVENTION 113
• the key issue of knowledge dilution and transfer
of information arising from the fragmentation
caused by the privatisation process from
supplier to maintainer;
• how to encourage young engineers to join and
gain knowledge in the railway signalling and
telecommunications industry; and
• how industry must operate as a team in delivering
integrated solutions for the operators.
Howard hoped that the IRSE, the Conference and
Convention would address some of these issues
and concluded by outlining some of the rail projects
in which NSW were currently investing:
• new signalling systems;
• new train control systems;
• new rolling stock (eg the “Millennium” EMU
train);
• new train location systems;
• building the new Parramatta to Chatswood rail
link.
These initiatives will expand network capacity and
reliability of the system as well as increasing the
reach of rail services to Sydney and its surrounding
areas.
The Technical Conference then commenced with
the morning session titled “Control Systems” with
the following papers being presented:
• Train Information Systems for Operators/
Passengers;
• Queensland Rail’s Universal Traffic Control
(UTC) and Direct Traffic Control (DTC);
• Rail Control System (Integrated Supervisory
Control System for Metro Railway Operations);
• Passenger CCTV Security System for the New
South Wales State Rail Authority.
After the conclusion of these papers a lively
“Question and Answer” (Q&A) panel session was
held with the presenters.
Following lunch at the Hotel, the Conference
continued with the afternoon session titled
“Engineering the Technology” and this included:
• A presentation by the NSW Rail Infrastructure
Corporation (RIC);
• ERTMS/ETCS benefits for railways worldwide;
• GEO Logic application at Mount Barker
Junction;
• Migration from existing signalling to ERTMS;
• Melbourne’s privatisation – how can technology
meet the needs of the new regime and its
operators;
• Meeting the challenge to provide technology
that meets the operator needs;
• A presentation by the NSW Co-ordinator
General of Rail;
• Development of system authorities on UK
mainline railways and their application to the
deployment of ERTMS.
At the conclusion and following the customary
Q&A session, Peter Symons summed up the days
activities and passed a vote of thanks to all the
presenters.
The guests’ programme for the day consisted of a
coach tour to various sites within the Sydney
environs. These included the famous Bondi Beach
where a stop was made for morning tea and, following
lunch at the Featherdale Wildlife Park, there was
time to see native Australian fauna in the park. A
brief visit was made to the Olympic Park before
returning to the hotel.
Many of the Convention attendees opted to brave the
heights by participating in the Harbour Bridge climb.
Enjoying the breathtaking view are three such intrepid
conventioneers: (l to r) Simon Wood, Steve Brown and
Ross Gammon
In the evening members and guests embarked on
a starlit cruise around Sydney Harbour on the
paddle wheel steamer “Sydney Showboat II” during
which dinner was served. Afterwards presentations
of plaques were made to all the Technical
Conference presenters and live music completed the
cruise.
WEDNESDAY 1st MAY 2002
Inspection of Signalling in the Sydney Area
Members travelled by train and bus to inspect the
facilities at Blacktown. Here the signalling control
centre utilises VDU operation for command and
control of the local SSI interlocking with remote
control operation of RRIs.
The CCTV station security system was inspected
with its sophisticated record and playback capabilities.
A presentation was given on the Level Crossing
(LX) Monitoring System which can:
During the evening cruise on Sydney Harbour, Lyle Jackson
welcomed delegates and guests before handing each of
the technical presenters a plaque Photo: L