1. The achievements of Rail CRC
Mr David Schonfeld
Research Director

2. 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

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

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

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

6. Alternative research strategies
Internal research
Outsourcing research
Cooperative research

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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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)

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

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