Advanced Train Management System

The Advanced Train Management System is a train control system under development by Lockheed Martin for Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). The ATMS uses Global Positioning System to locate and track the position of trains within the ARTC network. In particular the system will be deployed across the Nullabor Plain to connect the eastern states of Australia with Perth and Western Australia. ATMS has been proposed as a low cost functional equivalent to European Rail Traffic Management System.

Outline
ATMS is a rail safe working system based on radio communication. Authorities are issued to equipped trains to allow them to proceed to a specified point. The ATMS compares the movement of an equipped train to the authority which has been issued, and then brakes the train if it exceeds the authority.

ATMS does not use balises, such as the ETCS system from Europe.

ATMS's particular strength is to improve safety and efficiency in remote areas where communications and power infrastructure is limited, such as in deserts. It thus involves a mixture of land-based and satellite technologies for communications and renewable power supplies due to lack of mains electricity in many cases.

Excellent following headways on single lines is provided, in excess of what is economically possible with conventional intermediate block signals. The cost of level crossing protection is reduced due to the elimination of the need for track circuits.

Trains speeds are regulated according to the speeds along the track and through turnouts (switches).

ATMS system components
ATMS is composed of the following sub-systems:

Implementation
After 10 years of development, ATMS has been implemented on the short Port Augusta to Whyalla railway. The next phase is between Port Augusta via Adelaide to Melbourne. The Inland Railway is to benefit from a $20m contract for its 1700 km of track.

Track borne equipment

 * Controls and detects turnouts aka points
 * Controls and detects level crossings
 * Detects landslip detectors
 * Detects power supplies
 * Tunnels

Trainborne equipment
Drivers use a touch screen device located in the console – called a Driver Machine Interface or DMI – which provides information on the train’s movement and integrity, authority, target speed location, as well as other traffic, geographic and track features. The DMI enhances a driver’s situational awareness through a 10 km ‘look ahead’ view of work sites and changes in network conditions. A blue column bar represents the train’s length, direction of travel as well as the kilometre post position. The lower green horizontal line represents the train’s movement authority. Once a train has an authority, it can continue to the limit of its authority autonomously even if communications fail. Before moving into ATMS territory, the train communicates with the Network Control Centre (NCC) and the driver enters data via the DMI - digitally connecting the driver, train and NCC in real time. Train crews are automatically advised of speed restrictions, approaching speed limit changes as well as track work locations. When a train is within 10 km of a temporary speed restriction, a yellow braking curve followed by an alert will appear on the DMI.

The Location Determination System (LDS) software uses a highly sophisticated dual feed from two GPS antennas to fix the train’s location. The software compares these two GPS inputs then further compares onboard sensors, the tachometer, and the track database to exactly fix the train’s location. Under normal conditions, location reporting to ATMS occurs every 15 seconds. The Train Control & Display (TC&D) software controls train functions such as train integrity monitoring, braking enforcement, driver display management and message exchange between the DMI and AMS.

2021

 * Port Augusta - Kalgoorlie section

2020

 * Inland Railway contract for $30m.

2018

 * Port Augusta - Whyalla section

2013
Because of delays in the development of ATMS, it was decided to equip the Port Augusta - Tarcoola section with conventional CTC signalling.

2005

 * ARTC - Lockheed Martin agreement.

Other systems

 * ERTMS
 * Positive train control (PTC)