Proceedings 2002/2003 - IRSE

SOUTHERN AFRICAN SECTION 131
On 14th March 2002 Dr Angus Hay and Frank
Nunneley, from Transtel, presented a paper entitled
“The Journey to being a Second Network Operator”.
The paper expounded on the concept that choice is
a new buzzword in the world of technology. In South
Africa, we are on the road to being able to choose
between telecommunication providers. The
government has started the process to legalise a
telecommunications competitor to the current single
incumbent, Telkom.
On 18th April 2002 Manie Bernard, from Inteltrack,
presented a paper entitled “Rural Train Signalling
with GPS”. The paper highlighted that the accuracy
of GPS has improved from 100-150 metres
previously to 5-15 metres during the past year. The
paper then postulated that together with low-cost
multi-channel GPS receivers, trains could now be
tracked within the tolerances required for rural train
signalling. An onboard kilometre driven menu could
now replace all the static driver information and
markers next to the track like speed limits, warning
boards, gradients, curves and station names.
Basically all the information the train driver needs
could be displayed on board. By issuing digital track
warrants to the trains and monitoring the position of
trains continuously, safety could be maximised.
Understanding the application of GPS technology in
the signalling environment is critical if we would like
to improve safety and reduce costs in future. With
the advancement of GPS technology, train tracking
software and GPS based track clearance methods,
this becomes a very attractive alternative for low
cost reliable rural train signalling.
A joint symposium involving the Permanent Way
Institution (PWI), the South African Institution for
Civil Engineers (SAICE), the South African Society
for Railway Engineers (SASRE) and the IRSE was
held on 13th June 2002. The symposium addressed
the positioning of the institutions and societies in the
future railway environment, with specific emphasis
on the pending establishment of the Rail Safety
Regulator in South Africa. Mr Mervan Panzera presented
a structure introduction to the Rail Safety
Legislation, the Rail Safety Regulator and the role of
the Rail Safety Authority. Each learned society then
presented a short paper on their understanding of
the way forward. An open debate followed.
On 15th August 2002 Andreas Matthee presented
a paper entitled “Research into Technologies Which
Can Be Employed for the Detection of Skid Marks on
Rails”. Skid marks cause a lot of damage to both the
infrastructure and the rolling stock. Annually much is
spent repairing these and therefore the recording of
the detail of skid marks will go a long way to improving
maintenance planning and actions. A number of
technologies and analysis techniques can be
employed to detect and classify the skid marks. The
paper focused on research performed to determine
the feasibility of employing current technologies for
this purpose. A skid mark is in effect a ‘pothole’ for
a train wheel. By using advanced techniques to
analyse the signals obtained from both accelerometers
and acoustic transducers attached to the
wheel set of a measurement car running over a
section of railway line, it was possible to detect with
sufficient reliability the position, depth and length of
these potholes (skid marks). The accelerometer
alternative also proved to be more effective. The
success of this initial research requires that the
approach be further refined and perfected.
The annual technical visit took place on 6th-8th
September 2002. The visit comprised a group of
members, spouses and some children spending a
weekend in the Northern Drakensberg. The highlight
of the weekend was a tour to the Drakensberg Pump
Storage Scheme. The Pump Storage Scheme
consumes electrical energy from the national
distribution grid during times of low demand to
pump large volumes of water from the Tugela River
complex, up a vertical height of 150 metres, to an
elevated storage dam that is integral to the
Sterkfontein dam complex. Conversely, during times
of high electricity demand, the same hydroelectric
units use water flow from the elevated storage dam
to generate electrical energy that is and feed to the
national grid. This facility can produce of the order of
8% of the total national consumption. Furthermore,
the Sterkfontein dam complex is able to feed water
to the north-eastern highlands of South Africa,
which houses the South African industrial heartland
of the greater Johannesburg, Pretoria, Vereeniging
area, as well as large tracts of agricultural land.
Accordingly, the same facility can be used to pump
water from the abundant Tugela complex to the less
abundant highlands. The tour of the pump station
included a restricted viewing of the control centre of
the complex. Typical remote control systems are
used to centrally control and monitor the installation.
The turbine-generator sets are mounted vertically
and stand of the order of ten stories high. All of the
party had a thoroughly enjoyable outing.
Traditionally, the annual technical visit of the
Southern African Section is planned to coincide with
the visit of the IRSE President to South Africa.
Unfortunately, this visit did not take place at short
notice due to ill-health in the family of the President.
The related technical meeting at which the President
normally addresses the Section was also cancelled.
On 31st October 2002 Rudi Barnard presented a
paper entitled “Harare – Mutare CTC Renewal and
Telephone Carrier Project”. The paper detailed the
scope, the methodology, the key challenges and the
successes of the project, which Siemens had
recently completed. The systems installed include a
PC based SCADA system, microwave backbone,
UHF train radio system, PLC interfacing to the
existing interlockings, power equipment and axle
counters. The paper did not only give an overview of
the project scope of works, installation and commissioning
issues, but also looked at some of the
challenges relating to contracting in a neighbouring
country.
The Annual Dinner for the 2002 session was postponed
from the original date of 11th October 2002
and was in the end held on 20th January 2003 at the
Old Edwardians Club. The attendance was well
above average and all had a jolly good time. The
guest speaker, Shulami Qalinga (a female and
recently appointed Senior Manager, Rail Operations