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http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/diesel/international/press5.html Fri, 09 May 2008 16:33:09 GMT http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/diesel/international/press5.html IFT Signs Marketing and Distribution Agreement with Major European Chemical and Fuel Additives Distribution Company International Fuel Technology announced that it signed a marketing and distribution agreement with Caldic UK, a UK based chemical and fuel additives company. Caldic UK is a division of Rotterdam (Netherlands) based Caldic, a major European chemical and fuel additives distribution company with 25 sales offices in eight countries and annual revenues of approximately US$750 million. Caldic UK has purchased DiesoLIFTTM 10 and introduced the product to their clients, including major bus and supermarket companies. DiesoLIFTTM 10 has clearly demonstrated the ability to increase fuel economy and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions," said Roger Collis, Caldic UK's Managing Director. "In addition, independent laboratory testing has shown that IFT's DiesoLIFTTM BD-3 is a top performing fuel additive technology for addressing oxidation stability and deposit control in bio-diesel fuel blends. Both products are currently in use with some of our largest commercial accounts." Gary Kirk, IFT's Director of Sales and Marketing said: "The continued success of our DiesoLIFTTM product line has generated a lot of interest from major chemical and fuel additive distribution companies. The Caldic UK agreement is another significant step forward for our primary commercial strategy of partnering with large, well-known industry distribution companies with established marketing channels and end user clients." http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/traffic/sita/press3.html Wed, 07 May 2008 11:48:32 GMT http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/traffic/sita/press3.html SITA Report Highlights Areas for Improvement as Baggage Handling Capacity Reaches Saturation Level SITA, the IT provider which tracks passenger baggage worldwide for the air transport industry, recently launched a major report which shows how baggage handling can be improved at the world's busiest airports through the better use of technology as the industry now handles around 2.25 billion pieces of checked baggage every year. Francesco Violante, SITA CEO, introducing the 4th annual SITA Baggage Report, said: "Since again, the past year has seen an increase in the amount of baggage mishandled worldwide. It also brings fresh hope, however, in the shape of new initiatives such as IATA's baggage improvement programme. It is important that we continue to move towards a comprehensive, fully-integrated global baggage management system that can direct, track and trace passenger baggage throughout the entire journey from check-in to final delivery at the destination. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) also has a role to play and could save the industry as much US$700 million if it was fully implemented across the industry." Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO, said: "We get baggage right 98% of the time. But with a total volume of over 2.2 billion bags in the system, the 2% that is mishandled is a big problem that we need to fix. IATA has developed a toolkit of 40 solutions designed to address the prime causes of baggage mishandling. And, because every airport is different, IATA Baggage Go Teams will visit targeted airports spreading best practice solutions matched to local needs." According to this year's Baggage Report published today at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Amsterdam, the air transport industry lost $3.8 billion in 2007 because of growing pressures on baggage management linked to passenger volumes, tight aircraft turnaround times, and heightened security measures. Figures from WorldTracer, SITA's fully-automated system for tracing lost and mishandled passenger baggage used by 400 airlines and ground handling companies, show that 42.4 million bags were mishandled or delayed in 2007. The air transport industry handles around 2.25 billion pieces of checked baggage every year. In 2007, the single largest cause of baggage delay was in transfer baggage mishandling, 49%, but this number has been falling steadily since 2005 when it was at 61%. This was followed by ticketing error/ passenger bag switch/ security/ other, 14%; failure to load, 16%; space-weight restriction, 5%; loading/offloading error, 5%; tagging errors, 3%; and arrival station mishandling, 8%. SITA facilitates communications between airlines and local baggage handling and reconciliation systems to ensure bags reach their correct destination, and its proprietary BagMessage system delivered 750 million messages between airline departure control systems and automated baggage systems in 2007. http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/consult/ibs/press35.html Tue, 06 May 2008 14:09:38 GMT http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/consult/ibs/press35.html IBS Software Enters Rotterdam, Netherlands IBS Software, a leading global provider of new-generation IT solutions to the Travel, Transportation and Logistics (TTL) industry announced the setting up of an office at Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. Through the new facility, IBS seeks to establish an Ocean Transportation Line of Business (LoB), the latest addition to its six other lines of business. This is IBS' second office in Europe after London and its fourteenth worldwide. According to V K Mathews, Chairman and CEO, IBS Group: "IBS has been growing rapidly in the past few years. We have not only added new products to our existing LOBs, but also added new lines of business. We foresee great potential in the ocean transportation business. The office at Rotterdam, known to have one of the largest and the best known seaports in the world will provide us a base and the expertise to add new products to build this particular line of business." "The port of Rotterdam is the gateway to Western Europe, while the Netherlands has a well known reputation in regard to marine logistics and transportation activities. Setting up an office in such a dynamic and supportive environment brings many advantages to our Ocean Transportation LoB," said Martin Debel, Vice President and Head, Ocean Transportation LoB. With vast experience in the marine transportation and logistics domain and having worked with numerous customers across these fields, Martin brings an in-depth understanding of the ocean transportation business and over 27 years of experience in the domain. Under his leadership, IBS is confident of achieving its business goals for the new LoB. IBS already has a fully integrated seaport operation management solution iPort™ in the Ocean Transportation LoB. iPort is implemented at three ports under the Sharjah Ports Authority as well as at the Port of Male (Maldives Port Authority). The product supports the entire gamut of port operations ranging from marine operations, cargo and container operations, yard operations, cargo delivery to billing of all services rendered by a seaport. http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/traffic/topex/press3.html Tue, 06 May 2008 13:46:11 GMT http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/traffic/topex/press3.html TOPEX Enhanced IP VCS Solution, Successfully Tested at ROMATSA TOPEX successfully tested an improved VCS solution at Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration (ROMATSA) with Multi Frequency Coding (MFC) Signaling Converter which assures transportation of this protocol over the Internet according to EUROCONTROL specifications. TOPEX VCS solution has been implemented at Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration for over five years and allows its configuration for a very wide range of applications in the ATC field. Due to excellent collaboration certified by traditional long business relations, ROMATSA, the organization providing the achievement of the air traffic control, chose to test TOPEX improved solution. During these tests, the new ground-ground communication network between Air Traffic Control Centers from ROMATSA was provided by TOPEX VCS via MFC connections. The purpose of the MFC network is to connect many single units to a powerful and dedicated infrastructure. TOPEX solution was internationally launched three years ago, being the world's first fully IP implementation in ATC environment but now, it has superior capabilities in line with the progress of IP technology. It is a secure and easy to deploy, upgrade and customize solution as it makes use of existent system infrastructure and has all the advantages of an IP-based solution. "ATM communications is about reliability, redundancy, top-quality, top-technology, failure-proof and future-oriented systems”, declared Mr. Dan Adamescu, CEO TOPEX. "We have experience in integrating VoIP to any type of interfaces and one important thing about IP is the fact that is suitable to transport any type of communications like data, voice, video or multimedia. This aspect translates in advantage of IP-VCS vs. legacy-VCS: one network to implement, configure and administer, ready for present and future communications services," added Mr Adamescu. TOPEX enhanced solution is to convert line signaling with 2280 KHz and MFC tones in something that can be transported over the IP (using an IP signaling session). TOPEX IP VCS has an open architecture and it can integrate devices from different vendors (IP media gateways, IP radio gateways, IP voice recorders, SIP phones). Based on its advanced experience in designing and implementing IP infrastructures with specific transport requests, TOPEX delivers end to end solutions covering transport, quality and security needs in order to fully meet the actual expectations of ATC industry. http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/traffic/topex/press2.html Thu, 01 May 2008 09:25:33 GMT http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/traffic/topex/press2.html TOPEX Honored for Securing the Skies over Bucharest TOPEX, a leading telecom equipment manufacturer and ATC solution provider, is proud to be awarded for its contribution and dedication to securing the skies over Bucharest. After The North - Atlantic Alliance Summit, the most important political event ever organized in Romania, when TOPEX VCS assisted in providing the flights synchronization, organizations like Main Air Operational Command - Romanian Air Force and NATO Bucharest Summit, honored the company for its commitment to quality and excellence in delivering up to date communications solutions. This Air Guardian recognition is due to the reliable VCS solution provided by TOPEX and implemented for over five years within the Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration. TOPEX VCS is a voice communication system intended for air traffic control applications and dispatcher - type communication centers. It is a full digital system with flexible and scalable architecture to allow its configuration for a very wide range of applications in the ATC/ATM field. "We are honored that important organization recognized our hard work and development confirming to us that we follow the right path in the ATC industry. This award motivates us to continue crossing the boundaries of traditional ways of doing business, keeping up our high standards and improving them even more," declared Mr Dan Adamescu, CEO TOPEX. Because of the reliable ATC solution provided, TOPEX met entirely the expectations of this event and TOPEX VCS proved to be secure, innovative and customized on NATO Summit special requests. http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/consult/era/press2.html Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:30:29 GMT http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/consult/era/press2.html SRA to Acquire Era Corporation SRA International, a leading provider of technology and strategic consulting services and solutions to government organizations, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Era Corporation, a privately held provider of advanced surveillance technologies for the air traffic management, airport operations, military and security markets. Era is a pioneer and leading supplier of next-generation surveillance and flight tracking solutions. The company has nearly 300 employees and develops multilateration, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and other technologies that deliver high-performance, high-reliability surveillance solutions to more than 100 customers in the US, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia. Era is headquartered in Reston, Va. with production facilities and research & development centers in the US and Czech Republic. In 2007, SRA embarked on a five-year plan to broaden its product and service offerings, to significantly increase annual revenue, and to expand operating margins. The company intends to add leading-edge product capabilities that differentiate its services in new and rapidly growing markets. By integrating hardware and software products with its core services capabilities, SRA expects to play a pivotal role in advancing the missions of its customers in the national security, civil government and health markets. "Era is a perfect fit for SRA," said SRA President and CEO Stan Sloane. "They are a global market leader with a solid management team, dedicated employee base and valuable intellectual property. Era has established a great track record of winning new business and exceeding customer expectations, and we anticipate that the air surveillance market will continue to offer abundant opportunities for growth as traditional ground-based radar is replaced by these more powerful,dependable systems. Era is an important part of our long-term growth plans, and will help position us strategically for leadership in advanced surveillance technologies." "SRA is the right home at the right time for Era to extend its growth and market leadership," said Era President and CEO Dave Ellison. "SRA has a track record for delivering high-quality services and products, a stellar reputation in the industry and sound judgment on recognizing growth opportunities domestically and internationally. With air traffic projected to double in the next decade, the demand for Era's surveillance solutions is growing in step. Era solutions give unmatched accuracy and performance needed to support increased operations while improving situational awareness and overall safety." Era has been selected for many competitive procurements for ADS-B and multilateration systems worldwide in the past two years, including Dublin, New York, Singapore, Thailand and Johannesburg. Era has also been recognized with the Air Traffic Control Industry's 2007 Development Award from Jane's Information Group and the 2007 ADS-B Technology Leadership Award from Frost & Sullivan. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and Hart-Scott-Rodino review. Closing is expected by the end of SRA's fiscal year June 30, 2008. BB&T Capital Markets Windsor Group acted as the exclusive advisor to Era in this transaction. http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/diesel/international/press4.html Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:03:27 GMT http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/diesel/international/press4.html Sustainable Proven Financial Benefits of using DiesoLIFT DiesoLIFT™ is a performance enhancer recommended at a 1:600 dosage in diesel fuels (0.17% in volumes) in order to improve diesel fuel properties. The benefits gained from the treatment of rail diesel fuel with DiesoLIFT can be summarized as follows: Fuel Economy Proven economy of 3% minimum Potential economy in service from 7% to 10% on (as demonstrated in numerous rail trials) Engine tests carried out at the world's most renowned technical centers (MI Technology - Motive Power - SWRI - etc) Significant Reduction of Pollutant Emissions The treatment of diesel fuels with DiesoLIFT has a direct impact on the reduction of noxious emissions such as HC (Hydrocarbons), CO (carbon monoxide), particulates and exhaust smokes Greenhouse gases such as CO2 (carbon dioxide) and NOx (Nitrogen oxides) are also indirectly reduced after treatment of diesel fuels with DiesoLIFT due to the resulting reduction of fuel consumption Lubricity Improvement and Friction Reduction Tests carried out at oil industry certified independent laboratories have clearly demonstrated a significant lubricity improvement up to 50% in diesel fuels after treatment with DiesoLIFT Engine Reliability and Durability No engine damage or mechanical failure has ever been linked to the use of DiesoLIFT Diesel fuel characteristics remain within standard specifications after treatment with DiesoLIFT To comfort potential users, IFT has contracted a worldwide insurance policy for up to seven million dollars coverage against any risk of mechanical damages or failures proven to be directly linked to the use of DiesoLIFT http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/weighing/schenck/press14.html Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:07:20 GMT http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/weighing/schenck/press14.html Schenck Process Group Honoured with the Oliver Wyman Best Growth Award for Mechanical Engineering Companies Schenck Process is the best example of the successes a good strategy process can deliver. In recognition of the successful definition and ongoing realisation of its growth strategy, the Schenck Process Group are delighted to announce that management consults Oliver Wyman and the Produktion business journal have conferred their 2007 Strategy Award for Mechanical Engineering Companies in the category of 'Best Growth Strategy' on the Schenck Process Group. Citing ability to achieve targeted financial results, in presenting the award Oliver Wyman acknowledges Schenck Process' transition from a component supplier to a leading provider of complete solutions. "The focus lies on the production of key components and on solutions with a clear differentiation and high customer benefit," says Thomas Kautzsch, Partner at Oliver Wyman in Munich. Additionally, selective acquisitions as well as the exemplary growth of its service business further convinced the awarding jury. The defined growth strategy, which Schenck Process has pursued since its 2005 MBO from Duuml;rr (owners of Carl Schenck AG) has greatly contributed to the award winning development of the company. Operating across the globe via a network of 25 legal entities, in order to achieve a focussed approach across various industries, the company has structured its business into five core International Business Segments (IBS) namely IBS Heavy, IBS Light, IBS Mining, IBS Power and IBS Transport Automation, each focusing on different user markets e.g. cement, steel, food, pharmaceuticals, coal, base metals, power and transport automation processes for road, rail and port. Serving all of these industries and many more via a customer-orientated business model, Schenck Process develops, manufactures and markets a full range of solutions, products and turnkey systems on the basis of combining process engineering expertise, reliable components and field-proven technology. Special praise was also given to the exemplary expansion of Schenck Process' services with respect to process optimisation for customers and carefully planned inorganic growth. Specific acquisitions e.g. the Stock, Redler and Fairfield companies and the 'in-motion-scale' business of Pfister Waagen Bilanciai, have increased the operating result at Schenck Process by 340% since 2003 and resulted in a 120% increase in the workforce; in Fiscal Year 2007, Schenck Process employed approximately 2,000 staff worldwide. Stewart D Murdoch, Schenck Process' Director of Business Development & Marketing comments, "we strongly believe in having a customer-orientated business model and we place this at the centre of all of our activities. Building on this model, the objective of our strategy is to have a balanced and profitable growth based on clearly defined organic and inorganic actions with the overarching objectives being the leverage of our global footprint to maximise our pre and after sales support and further expansion of our market position internationally." With more than 2,900 professionals in over 40 cities around the globe, Oliver Wyman is one of the leading management consulting firms and is part of the Marsh & McLennan Companies. The "Strategy Award for Mechanical Engineering Companies" was started in 2005 with the aim of encouraging development of strategic goals in the industry and publicly recognising their implementation. More than 100 German, Austrian and Swiss mechanical engineering companies participated in the contest that was conducted in co-operation with the business journal Produktion and under the patronage of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/access/optellios/press10.html Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:23:28 GMT http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/access/optellios/press10.html Optellios Completes Phase One of US$2.7 Million Project to Secure Public Water Utility Optellios, Inc., a leading fiberoptic technology company and manufacturer of the FiberPatrol line of intrusion detection and communication products, announced today that it has completed the first installation in a project to secure a public water utility in the state of Florida. Optellios won a US$2.7 million dollars contract for the project in December of 2007, following a public bid process. As part of the project, Optellios is providing, installing, and integrating perimeter intrusion detection systems at county water facilities. Individual projects involve several different models of FiberPatrol intrusion detection products, including multi-zone and location-sensing systems for perimeter fence and wall applications. Installation at one major water treatment plant has been completed, with another one underway. Optellios will also supply and deploy its FiberPatrol Remote Alarm Management System for centralized monitoring of these and future sites. "We are pleased to deliver on our first major contract of 2008. The newest project adds to our impressive track record of securing public water utilities and other types of critical infrastructure”, said Jay Patel, CEO of Optellios. "Our products and our integrated security solutions have been deployed at dozens of water treatment facilities, contributing to a stellar reputation of performance and customer satisfaction," added Dr Patel. Using cutting edge technology, FiberPatrol intrusion detection systems analyze the slightest disturbances in fiberoptic sensor cables. FiberPatrol location-sensing systems in addition have a unique ability to pinpoint the precise location of a perimeter breach. One such system can monitor the entire perimeter of a facility, with solution available for fence, wall, in-ground, and mixed applications. The FiberPatrol Remote Alarm Management System (FPRAMS) integrates intrusion detection and video surveillance components across multiple sites into a single enterprise-wide perimeter security solution. The FPRAMS activates PTZ camera presets, triggers video recording, and alerts security personnel in response to an intrusion alarm. http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/computer/men-mikro/press18.html Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:54:21 GMT http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/computer/men-mikro/press18.html ESMexpress, System-On-Module Standard for Harsh Environments With the ESMexpress standard MEN Mikro Elektronik bridges a gap in the market for system-on-modules for harsh environmental conditions and safety-critical requirements in industrial embedded applications. Unlike the COM Express standard which is administered by the PICMG, ESMexpress is currently prepared to be standardized according to ANSI by the VITA. The official designation is ANSI-VITA 59, RSE Rugged System-On-Module Express. FIELDS OF APPLICATION System-On-Modules (SOM) or Computer-On-Modules (COM) are complete computers on a plug-on module. By configuring the I/O on an individual carrier board the functionality can be tailored to the application, thus saving costs and time-to-market. The ESMexpress standard has been developed for applications requiring highly robust electronics which ensure safe and reliable operation even in harsh environmental conditions. This applies in particular to railway and avionics applications, partially to industrial automation and medical engineering as well as mobile applications in general. TECHNICAL ASPECTS Therefore, during the development of ESMexpress, the main focus was on the fanless cooling concept that is prepared for a power dissipation of up to 35 Watts and support of both conduction and convection cooling. To achieve this, the populated PCB is mounted into a frame and completely enclosed in an aluminum housing. The high pressure caused by the screw joints between the housing and the PCB supports the thermal connection of the components. If the power dissipation of the respective ESMexpress module necessitates additional cooling measures, the housing is either connected to an external heat dissipation system (conduction) or combined with a heat sink for heat dissipation (convection). At the same time the housing ensures optimum EMC protection for the electronic parts. Another important point is the resistance against shock and vibration. For this, the module is fixed onto the carrier board using eight screws, a connector is used which is specified for MIL and railway applications and supports differential signals with up to 8 GHz. The mechanically robust connector has a stacking height of 5 mm with a minimum tolerance of +/-0,3 mm, is equipped with fixedly assigned contacts for power supply and is specified for an operating temperature of -55°C to +125°C. The electrical signals are distributed on two 120-pin connectors and are only defined for the modern serial buses. For PCI Express there are four single lane ports (4x1) and one port which can be configured as 1x16, 1x8, 2x4 oder 2x1. In addition there are three one-Gigabit Ethernet (also as 10-Gigabit), eight USB, three SATA, SDVO, LVDS, HD Audio, several utility signals and the single 12V power supply. The pin assignment is fixed without allowing options in order to guarantee the interchangability of the ESMexpress modules. Regarding the processor architecture ESMexpress is completely open, as long as the maximum power dissipation of 35W is not exceeded. Of course, all Intel platforms can be used, like the new UMPC family starting with the Intel Atom or the Intel Core architecture with the mobile chipsets, e.g. Core 2 Duo with 965GME. Just as well suited are PowerPC-CPUs, e.g. the MPC8548 from the PowerQUICC-III family by Freescale. COMMERCIAL ASPECTS In order to achieve an attractive price for the ESMexpress modules, mechanical components like the frame or the heat sink have been standardized as much as possible and will be available on the market as standard products. Independent of the functionality of the module and the field of application, the module can also be used without a housing. Cost savings regarding the electronic parts can be achieved via the fully-automated production of the 100% SMD modules. Depending on the module function one of the two 120-pin connectors can be omitted. In addition, the occasionally required connection of additional individual I/O via IP cores in an FPGA has also been moved to the carrier board to save costs. Being an ANSI standard, ESMexpress offers even more advantages, e.g. cost reduction because of shorter development times or easy exchangeability of discontinued components in critical applications with a required long-time availability of 15 years and more. Finally, ESMexpress is compatible with COM Express, regardless of the different concept. Via an adapter board which complies with the COM.0 Basic Form Factor Type 2 and adapts the mechanics and the pinout, ESMexpress modules can be used on COM Express carrier boards. Vice versa it is possible to prepare carrier boards for both COM Express and ESMexpress modules. http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/computer/men-mikro/press19.html Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:39:58 GMT http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/computer/men-mikro/press19.html ESMexpress Module XM1 with Intel Atom System-On-Module Standard for Extreme Environmental Conditions MEN Mikro Elektronik presents the first ESMexpress modules, which comply with the new, proposed ANSI-VITA 59 standard (in preparation). The XM1 is the first Intel-based member of this System-on-module family for harsh environments and safety-critical applications in the embedded market. With the new Intel Atom and high-performance graphics, the XM1 is ideally suited for visualization applications for the railway, avionics, medical engineering and industrial automation markets. XM1 - THE PERFECT VISUALIZATION PLATFORM FOR INTEL ATOM Two variants of the recently presented Intel Atom - Z530 with 1.6 GHz or Z510 with 1.1 GHz - form the heart of the XM1, the first Intel-based ESMexpress module. Thanks to the 45nm technology the processor from Intel's new UMPC family perfectly complements the advantages of the XM1. Low power dissipation, extended temperature range, space-saving design and seven years minimum availability combined with a favorable price/performance ratio open up new application possibilities which until now could not be realized with Intel products of the Pentium M class. The XM1 is equipped with a soldered DDR2 SDRAM with up to 1 GB memory space and supports other memory types like USB Flash on the carrier board. All interfaces provided by the Intel System Controller Hub are used by the XM1 and can be led to different carrier boards. These are PCI Express, Gigabit Ethernet with Wake-On-LAN-functionality, eight USBs with host and client support, SATA, LVDS, SDVO and HD audio. Legacy I/O interfaces like COM and PATA can be used alternatively on a standard carrier board. A real-time clock and a board management controller with watchdog complete the functionality of the ESMexpress module. For testing of all functions of the XM1 and for developing the application the XC1 universal carrier board in ATX format can be used. The XM1 can also be plugged onto COM Express carrier boards (basic form factor type 2) via the adapter board AE12. ROBUST MECHANICS FOR HARSH ENVIRONMENTS Having a total power dissipation of seven Watts maximum, the XM1 is specified for an operating temperature of -40°C to +85°C with conduction or convection cooling. Like all ESMexpress modules it is installed in a closed housing which also guarantees 100% EMC protection. To ensure shock and vibration resistance MIL- and railway-compliant connectors are used and all components are soldered. In addition the board is coated against humidity and dust. http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/security/secom/press2.html Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:48:47 GMT http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/security/secom/press2.html Secom Trains CCTV Cameras to Guard Unstaffed Stations Electronic security solutions from Secom plc are part of a £250,000 project to improve facilities and safety at unstaffed railway stations on a key Midland route. Digital CCTV installations and associated improvements have deterred acts of vandalism - helping to boost public confidence in rail travel and increasing passenger numbers by 20%. Working with the North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership (NSCRP) and the train operating company, Secom installed digital CCTV recording systems at Longport and Longton stations on the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent. Both stations are served by a regular service on the strategic Crewe-Stoke-Derby line. The Secom solution includes pole mounted camera arrays at Longton, and cameras fixed to the buildings at Longport. Less obtrusive anti-vandal dome cameras are fitted to the Grade II listed station building on Longport's southbound platform. Both systems have 30-day recording equipment, and provision for offsite monitoring if required. Secom National Accounts Executive Ian Barthorpe says train companies have a major challenge to ensure that station facilities and waiting passengers are properly protected at all times. "The NSCRP project provides much more than a deterrent to vandalism and assault - our CCTV installations help to create a safe environment at these stations. This in turn stimulates rail travel and ultimately encourages regional economic growth," he says. Faye Lambert, NSCRP Project Officer, says seven of the 11 stations on the Crewe-Stoke-Derby line are either unstaffed or have limited ticket office hours. "We wanted to make them more welcoming, to encourage people to use the line," she says. "Feedback from national and local passenger surveys was that the priorities should be safer stations, better waiting facilities and improved information for passengers. "North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone funding has enabled us to install CCTV at Longton and Longport, as well as erecting vandal-proof waiting shelters, and installing improved platform lighting, noticeboards and a customer information system. We worked closely with Secom, which was a preferred supplier to Central Trains - the train operator when we started the project. The franchise has since been taken over by East Midland Trains, a Stagecoach company." Faye Lambert says the stations look much better with the modernised facilities. "Since the improvements were installed, passenger numbers have risen by about 20% and we have had no significant incidents of crime or vandalism at either station. As a result of this success we are planning a similar project at Blythe Bridge, which is also unstaffed." The NSCRP links local authorities, businesses and voluntary groups with the aim of promoting and improving the Crewe-Stoke-Derby line for local people and visitors. The line links tourist attractions, business centres and airports, and has connections to mainline services between London, Birmingham and the North. Secom plc installs innovative tailored security solutions for commercial, public sector and domestic customers throughout the UK. Its ongoing quality service includes 24-hour monitoring of intruder and fire alarms, and video surveillance systems. Secom plc is the UK arm of a major global electronic security group, established in the 1960s. The group operates in 12 countries and its 38,000 employees serve more than a million customers. http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/security/secom/press1.html Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:43:04 GMT http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/security/secom/press1.html Secom Wins Contract for Gateway Police Facilities Police stations serving major new international gateways into London are to be protected with advanced security systems from Secom. The leading electronic security solutions provider has been awarded a Metropolitan Police Authority contract to supply and install integrated systems for police facilities at Terminal 5 Heathrow and the new Channel Tunnel stations at St Pancras and Stratford. Announcing the contract award, Secom plc Managing Director Minoru Takezawa said: "We are proud to be working with the Metropolitan Police to secure their facilities at these three sites, which are of great strategic importance in the UK's expanding transport infrastructure providing significant new national and international routes into London." He said installation of electronic surveillance and protection equipment would start at all three sites immediately - against tight deadlines, with St Pancras due to see its first Eurostar services in November this year and Terminal 5 set to open next March. "Events of the past few years have shown the need for tight security in public areas, especially airports and railway stations," said Minoru Takezawa. "We welcome this opportunity to assist the police in ensuring public safety. This is in line with our stated corporate goal of building a safer society." In addition to the cross channel traffic, the new rail link will provide high speed commuter services for North Kent via Stratford International and St Pancras. Both stations are already important hubs on the London transport network. Secom plc installs innovative tailored security solutions for commercial, public sector and domestic customers throughout the UK. Its ongoing quality service includes 24-hour monitoring of intruder and fire alarms, and video surveillance systems. Secom plc is the UK arm of a major global electronic security group, established in the 1960s. The group operates in 11 countries and its 38,000 employees serve more than a million customers. http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/brakes/knorr_bremse/press5.html Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:55:42 GMT http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/brakes/knorr_bremse/press5.html Knorr-Bremske and Alstrom Conclude Framework Agreement The French rail vehicle manufacturer Alstom Transport has concluded an extensive long term framework agreement with Knorr-Bremse for the development and supply of braking systems. The leading manufacturer of braking systems for rail vehicles world-wide can, as a preferred supplier, in the future tender for all Alstom's major projects world-wide. Knorr-Bremse is the very first supplier with which Alstom has concluded a so-called LP150 agreement. Both companies declared that the goal of their partnership was to significantly increase Knorr-Bremse's supply volume to Alstom across the whole range of rail vehicle platforms. Heinz Hermann Thiele, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Knorr-Bremse AG, describes the agreement as an important step offering the company new opportunities in both the French and the international railway equipment markets. Dr Dieter Wilhelm, Member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse responsible for rail vehicle systems, sees the framework agreement as proof of the performance capability of Knorr-Bremse's systems. "We have prevailed over our competitors above all thanks to our strong performance in terms of innovation and quality." In the last financial year, Knorr-Bremse spent approx. &uro;160 million - almost five percent of turnover - on research and development. Alstom Transport is one of the world's leading suppliers of complete railroad technologies and services. The company develops and manufactures vehicles, signal technology, infrastructure and services, which it can offer as turnkey solutions. With representatives in more than 60 countries and 26,000 employees, Alstom Transport posted sales of &uro;5.3 billion in the financial year 2006/2007. The Knorr-Bremse Group is the world's leading manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles. For more than 100 years now the company has pioneered the development, production and marketing of state-of-the-art braking systems. Other lines of business include automatic door systems, rail vehicle air conditioning systems and torsional vibration dampers for internal combustion engines. In 2007 the Group posted sales of &uro;3.25 billion and employed a workforce of 14,000. http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/yard/vector-lifting/press1.html Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:49:17 GMT http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/yard/vector-lifting/press1.html Perth Engineering Firm Completes Major Taiwan Rail Project Vector Lifting, in partnership with Taiwanese companies, China Steel Machinery Company and Teco Industries, has recently completed its largest and most ambitious project since inception in 1974. Over the past three years, the West Australian-based railway engineering company has supplied a number of items of maintenance equipment for the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation. This equipment ranged from simple bogie stands to a state-of-the-art underfloor lifting system and included a bogie drop table; bogie load test system; disassembly hoist; mobile jacks; bogie and wheel set turntables, and wheel set and axle rotating devices. Well known in Australia for similar engineering projects, this has been the first international, and by far the most challenging railway project undertaken by the company. Martin Tognala, Vector Lifting's Sales Engineer said this has been a significant venture for the company that had required the establishment of an additional specialist design and administration office dedicated to this one project, in addition to the project management office set up in Taiwan. Taiwan's high speed railway has been one of the largest construction projects of the late 20th Century. With an original cost estimate of some US$13 billion, the electrified high-speed line connects the major cities of Taipei in the North and Kaohsiung in the South, a distance of 345 kilometres. The new rail line cuts the journey-time from four hours to just ninety minutes. Around 300 kilometres of the track is built on viaducts or in tunnels. Taiwan has a high incidence of earthquakes and all elements of the supplied equipment were designed to withstand a significant earthquake. The underfloor lifting system (ULS) is located in the main maintenance depot at Yen Chao and is the centre-piece of the equipment supplied by Vector Lifting. It is capable of lifting a complete twelve-car, 300 metre long electric multiple unit (EMU) train set weighing over 700 tonnes. The cantilevered lifting system provides enough lift to enable bogies to pass under the raised railcar bodies along the full length of the track. This operation is carried out on the single ULS track without the need of intermediate turntables or an adjacent track. Up to twenty-four bogey sets can be replaced simultaneously. Besides being able to lift a complete EMU train set, the ULS can be configured to lift a combination of individual railcars as well as groups of railcars. For example, operators can lift six individual railcars or four individual railcars and a group of three. A number of different combination lifts are available. When lifting the whole train set, the ULS is controlled from a central main control console. In addition, twelve local control consoles are available for use when lifting different combinations of railcars. The actual ULS comprises twenty-four individual hoisting systems each with two lifting screw spindles. A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) ensures the accurate synchronisation of all forty eight spindles in order to maintain an even lift. The PLC programming is made even more complex because of the various combinations of lifts that can be selected. In order to maintain a safer working environment, the hoists are all concealed below ground when the system is not in use. "Projects of this nature and complexity don't get awarded to WA firms that often," commented Martin Tognala. "Our reputation globally as specialist railway lifting engineering experts has certainly been enhanced with the completion and successful commissioning of this Taiwan high speed rail job. It has attracted world interest and acclaim for its innovative features," he added. http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/bogies/rsd Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/bogies/rsd RSD Since its inception in 1940, RSD, a division of DCD-DORBYL, has established itself as a leading supplier of locomotives, railway wagons and related goods to the national railways, mining and industrial users throughout the local and international markets. RSD has the technical expertise, experience and facilities to design and manufacture a broad range of products to meet their individual customers' needs. For the rail industry, RSD designs, manufactures, refurbishes and services a complete range of rolling stock including locomotives, coach bodies, wagons and bogies. RSD has designed and manufactured more than 130,000 wagons, 1,000 surface locomotives and 4,000 underground locomotives. BOGIES FOR ALL TYPES OF ROLLING STOCK RSD have supplied nearly all the locomotive and passenger cars as well as the majority of freight bogies for the South African Railways and also for various other African and overseas customers over 50 years. The following are special features of our designs: They are user-centered, designed for specific operational conditions The bogies are designed for safety and reliability We are flexible and a design will fit the user's requirements with relative short development and delivery times Our designs are robust and ensure optimum availability and mission reliability Our bogies offer a minimum life cycle cost, they are supplied with one-piece cast steel frames for a virtually indefinite service life TWO-AXLE AND THREE-AXLE LOCOMOTIVE BOGIES For locomotives three-axle and two-axle bogies have been designed, both off-flange (self-steering) and on-flange curving (conventional) for both general freight and heavy haul applications. The bogies offer zero inter-axle mass-transfer. For passenger vehicles we designed and supplied mainline and suburban coach bogies as well as high-speed bogies. They are designed for comfort but provide the maximum operational safety. On the freight side we supply the Scheffel CROSS-ANCHOR self-steering bogie. This bogie is in a class of its own in reduction of wheel and rail forces and wear. ROLLING STOCK TECHNOLOGY We constantly strive to be at the forefront of rolling stock technology, and can draw on vast depths of experience, expertise and resources in this field. RSD has long been a leader in the development and supply of rolling stock in South Africa and export markets. http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/signal/transcore Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/signal/transcore TransCore With installations in more than 24 countries, TransCore is the leader in Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) for the rail industry. We set the standards by which all AEI is measured. On all five continents, TransCore has installed more than 6.9 million tags and 21,000 readers throughout the rail and intermodal industry. WIRELESS RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS In 1991 the North American rail industry adopted a mandatory standard based on TransCore's Amtech wireless Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. All railcars in interchange service in North America are required to be equipped with our radio frequency tags, allowing railroads to manage cars and locomotives nationwide. TransCore's tags are also encoded per the ATA standard for trucking applications. RAIL AND INTERMODAL EQUIPMENT TRACKING AND MONITORING TransCore's products electronically identify and monitor rail and intermodal equipment. This allows rail, port, marine and trucking companies to track and monitor equipment effectively, resulting in increased equipment utilization and reduced re-handles, dwell time and overhead. TRANSPORTATION TAG AND READER SYSTEM Our transportation tag and reader system provides an easy and inexpensive way to improve productivity and reduce costs. Transportation tags are mounted on railcars, locomotives, trailers, chassis, containers, and truck cabs with readers installed at strategic points, such as railroad interchange points and yards, gates, fuel tracks lanes, and maintenance facilities. As tagged equipment passes a reader, the tag identifies the equipment and the reader relays the time, date, or other programmed information to a host computer. Intermodal and trucking companies also use TransCore readers and tags to track chassis, containers and other equipment as soon as it enters the terminal gates: for example, the serial number, time and date of transaction is sent to the host computer the moment the tagged equipment passes a reader. Our system also helps ensure timeliness and accuracy and improve scheduling. Hands-free and wireless, these systems improve equipment and inventory accuracy, eliminate paperwork and increase employee productivity by automating equipment tracking procedures at the terminal. RFID RAIL TAGS RFID tags are attached to locomotives and wagons and encoded with equipment-specific information. Readers are placed at strategic junction points along each line, and as tagged equipment passes a reader, asset data stored in the tag is recorded in real time. The data is then transmitted to your host computer, automating and simplifying system management functions while providing perpetual inventory control. RAILCAR RFID RAIL TAGS TransCore's RFID rail tags (available in 902MHz to 928MHz, and 2,450MHz, bands) are designed for years of continued, reliable use in the harshest operating environments. RFID tags affixed to railcars are subjected to every imaginable harsh environmental exposure (heat, cold, snow, ice, dirt, rain, oil and ‐ in certain cases ‐ temperatures over 350°F), yet they are required to be installed once and operate indefinitely with 99%+ reliability. Our new tag technology features high-speed reading and writing capability, greatly enhanced data rate, memory capacity, and on-the-fly programming with security. TransCore provides two general classes of readers depending on application requirements ‐ single and multi-protocol, and fixed mount or portable (i.e. handheld). Performance and selection of an individual TransCore reader is wholly dependent on the application environment in which the reader is to be deployed. TransCore also manufactures and distributes a variety of antennas to support rail and intermodal applications, and a satellite GPS (GlobalWave®) system which complements the RFID solution. FULL-DISTRIBUTION CHAIN-MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS We provide logistics management and integrated supply-chain tracking systems to customers on five continents. From rail to truck, we offer full-distribution chain-management solutions. RELIABLE AEI SOLUTIONS TransCore offers reliable AEI solutions for automating electronic data capture and transmission. TransCore's Global Absolute Positioning System (GAPS) transponders and interrogators are also used by trainborne systems to identify a train's absolute position. This reference location information is used by other train control and information systems such as Computer Based Train Control (CBTC), Automatic Train Protection (ATP), Automatic Train Location (ATL), and Automatic Train Separation (ATS) systems, door control systems, and audio and visual annunciation systems. http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/terminal/lassila-tikano Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/terminal/lassila-tikano Lassila & Tikanoja FinBin® litter bins and ashtrays are designed and produced by Lassila & Tikanoja (L&T). L&T, founded in 1905, specialises in environmental waste management, and property and plant-support services, as well as environmental waste-collection products. L&T is a responsible environmental management specialist with a wide diversity of expertise. We are continuously developing new waste-management solutions for environmental management and property and plant maintenance needs. We do not settle for mere compliance with the environmental legislation requirements, but instead strive to be at the forefront of environmental management. FINBIN LITTER BINS AND ASHTRAYS FinBin litter bins are always near at hand when needed. Modern and functional design fulfils the requirements of any surroundings: shopping centres, terminals, public areas, etc. The FinBin product range is extensive and includes litter bins and ashtrays for every need. By request FinBin litter bins and ashtrays can be designed and customised according to the client's specifications. The bins and ashtrays are designed in Finland and made of the best Finnish steel materials. BERMUDA RECYCLING BINS The new FinBin Bermuda recycling bin is designed especially for passenger areas in terminals and retail facilities. Standard models are in stainless-steel with a metallic black lid or fully powder-coated in metallic black colour. The colour can be customised to fit the surroundings. Finbin Bermuda is a self-extinguishing litter bin. If a fire starts inside the bin, the shape of the lid directs the combustion gases, cuts off the oxygen supply and extinguishes the fire. In the Bermuda recycling bin, the design guides the user to recycle different waste fractions into the right compartments of the bin. FREE-STANDING AND WALL-MOUNTED ASHTRAYS FinBin ashtrays offer different solutions for indoor and outdoor smoking areas. The product range consists of free-standing and wall-mounted ashtrays. COMPREHENSIVE WASTE-COLLECTION SYSTEM In the FinBin XMIT system the collection bins in customer facilities are integrated to the vacuum conveyor pipelines and emptied automatically. Waste is transported through vacuum pipelines from collecting points to waste compactors at the central waste-collection facility. The system can be used in the waste management of a shopping centre or terminal for collecting waste from stores, restaurants, offices and customer facilities. In the system, the design of the waste collecting points and the functions of the user interface are chosen according to customer needs. The system also makes it possible to separate different types of waste and improve waste management security. By connecting litter bins to waste conveyor pipelines, the service transport in the shopping centre or terminal can be reduced as the collecting points are emptied discreetly and without nuisance to the environment. The number of maintenance staff as well as the frequency of emptying the bins can be optimised by using the automatic system. The FinBin XMIT system returns the investment and brings savings compared to traditional maintenance. L&T operates in Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Russia and Norway, and products are exported to several countries internationally. We employ 9,500 persons, 2,400 of which are located outside Finland. Our shares are listed on the OMX Nordic exchange. http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/renotahoe/ Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/renotahoe/ Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Nevada Reno-Tahoe International Airport is a publicly owned airport, operated by Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, and is situated about 5km from the central business district of the city of Reno in Nevada. The airport covers an area of 1,450 acres (587ha) and there are three operational runways: 16R/34L 11,002ft (3,353m), 16L/34R 9,000ft (2,743m) and 7/25 6,102ft (1,860m). "Reno-Tahoe International Airport is about 5km from the central business district of Reno in Nevada." The 16L (eastern parallel) and 16R (western parallel) runways have Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI), Instrument Landing System (ILS) and VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range (VOR) Approach and the 7/25 east-west runway has PAPI and Runway End Identifier Lights (REILs). There are High-Intensity Runway Lighting (HIRL) and lighted centrelines on 16R and 16L, which allows reliable operations in all weathers. AIRPORT USAGE This airport, which is the third busiest in Nevada after Las Vegas McCarran and North Las Vegas, serves the entire Reno metropolitan area and also western Nevada, and some parts of eastern California. Reno-Tahoe is the closest commercial airport to the Lake Tahoe resort for skiing and visiting. Reno-Tahoe Airport handles more and more passengers every year (five million in 2007) and is seen as a convenient medium-sized airport to serve the business area of Nevada ‐ there are 23 gates and over 160 flights a day). The airport expects the low-cost carrier Jetblue to begin a Reno-New York service during 2008. PROBLEMS One of the biggest problems, which was becoming intolerable, was that the airport terminal had run out of room. The check-in lines were extending outside the terminal onto the kerb. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 2001, lobby-based EDSs (Explosive Detection Systems) had been installed at the airport to screen checked baggage and comply with TSA (Transport Security Administration) regulations. The EDS machines have taken up valuable lobby space (eight large EDSs and 30 smaller inspection devices take up 35% of the floor space in the ticketing area) and this needed to be reclaimed by a complete reconfiguration and expansion of the terminal. RENO-TAHOE EXPANSION PROJECT The $60m expansion project (with $12m coming from the TSA) will involve a bigger and reconfigured lobby area in the terminal building as well as a new baggage system, a new tower and also a new Hyatt hotel. A new, six-storey 127-room Hyatt hotel west of the parking areas could be open in 18 months (2010). In addition a five-acre site will be available around the hotel for retailers and restaurants. A brand new terminal building is due to start construction in 2012 once certain bonds are paid off. NEW AIRPORT LOBBY DESIGN The reconfiguration of the lobby space and the new design was carried out by Gresham Smith & Partners (GS&P). GS&P designed a three-matrix in-line EDS to move the machines behind the ATO wall, and also designed various lobby updates and renovations to give the airport a new modern look (remodelling to a Tahoe theme in natural colours and stone, with a floating ceiling simulating clouds). GS&P provided architectural services as well as engineering, interior design and project management. The next step is an in-line baggage belt system built under Sensitive Security Information (SSI) screens to integrate with the screening system. This high-security project is due for completion in November 2009. Also included in the conversion from a lobby-based to an in-line automated EDS was the incorporation of new CUTE and CUSS equipment for greater flexibility in the ticketing processes performed by each carrier (the airport will achieve IATA Level C class of service for the ticket hall as a result of the project). Q and D Construction are the general contractors for the Airport Baggage Check-in (ABC) project. "Reno-Tahoe is the third busiest airport in Nevada after Las Vegas McCarran and North Las Vegas." During the expansion project the airport has moved the check-in area outside and provided semi-permanent awnings / cover to protect queuing passengers from the weather. Krys T Bart, president and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, commented: "We know when this is all done; we'll have a terminal lobby that's state-of-the-art, high-tech and customer friendly, and there won't be a question of where to go, where to check a bag. It will be better than the old days." ABC PROJECT For the duration of the ongoing construction project at Reno-Tahoe the TSA has located a temporary baggage-screening operation in a pop-up facility on the south end of the terminal (bags are screened away from the temporary lobby area). The project will take 22 months to complete and will end the two-step baggage check process which has been the norm for the last five years (one line to check-in then a second line to get the bags screened and passed through security). All of the baggage check mechanism will go behind the scenes and leave a new more spacious lobby area for check-in. The temporary lobby area has been established under cover outside the building and all of the construction work inside placed under high security status as required by the TSA. http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/zurichtrams/ Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/zurichtrams/ Zurich Tramway Developments Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and capital of the federal state (canton) of the same name. The canton's 1,728km² house around one-sixth of the national population, and many from neighbouring cantons add to an expanding level of commuting within and into the area. Added demand is generated by the country's principal airport in Zurich's northern community of Kloten. A large feature of the city centre, the main station, Zurich HB, is a hub for national and international services. Not extreme by Swiss standards, the city site at the western end of the Zurchersee Lake nevertheless poses engineering challenges including intensive settlement, substantial hills and the confluence of the Limmat and Sihl rivers. "Zurich's exceptional public transport arrangements remain under development and are the product of an evolving long-term project." THE PROJECT Zurich's exceptional public transport arrangements, an aspiration for cities worldwide, remain under development and are the product of an evolving long-term project. The use of referenda is widespread throughout Switzerland, thus it was that on two occasions, schemes for creating a metro-like tram-in-tunnel 'tiefbahn' (as per Dortmund and Köln in Germany) were rejected, although the electorate made it clear that it was specifically the sub-surface aspect that being rejected, and not the application of funds for improving public transport and protecting the environment. Some guiding principals are that surface routes, including the extant tramway with origins in 1882, would continue to be expanded and improved; that public transport modes would get roadway priority; that new building developments had to relate to public transport provision and that pedestrian access to public transport stops is as easy and agreeable as possible. Related to making the use of bus, tram or train even more appealing, tight controls are in place concerning road vehicle access, speeds and parking spaces. Allied to the physical transport provisions are the administrative arrangements, with publicly owned city transport operator Verkehrsbetriebe Zurich (VBZ) being one of many undertakings within Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV), the cantonal body that integrates all services and provides the multi-mode ticketing system. Even in relatively remote parts of the canton, frequency levels are high and scheduled on a 'clockface' basis to facilitate easy transfers within and between modes. Zurich canton's internal rail services, some extending to neighbouring cantons and into Germany, are mainly provided by national body SBB-CFF-FFS. With services designated 'S' according to the S-Bahn system introduced in 1990, there are many interchange points with the tram and forthcoming light rail extensions. INFRASTRUCTURE The metre-gauge tramways and new light rail projects are all built with turning loops, leading to the use of the single ended trams with doors on one side only. With a high level of track sharing by tram routes in the central area, much of the system runs along roads and includes reserved alignments. Consistent with the policy of easy access, the system is almost entirely surface running and features substantial stations at major interchanges like Central, Bahnhof Quai/HB, Bellevue and Bahnhof Enge. The approximately 2km tunnel between Milchbuck and Schwamendingerplatz created for the cancelled metro project was adopted for tram use by the mid-1980s and features three sub-surface stations on routes 7 and 9. ROLLING STOCK Zurich is in the midst of replacing part of the earlier tram fleet with the Pininfarina-styled low-floor, five-section Cobra model, a product initially aimed at gaining orders from that city and also from Basel, another large Swiss network (which eventually ordered the Siemens Combino). "The system is almost entirely surface running and features substantial stations at major interchanges." Not without difficulties with the design itself and with the original production consortium, an order for 68 Cobras from lead contractor Bombardier in association with Alstom was placed in June 2004. Subsequent orders up to 2008, including some for the Glattalbahn project, should see 88 in service around Zurich by 2010. Perhaps one of the last custom-built tram designs, in original ownership the Cobra seems destined to become peculiar to the Zurich area. Disposals of the Mirage class dating from 1966 include resale to Ukraine, as did the now-withdrawn Karpfen class. Destined for service at least to 2015 are the several versions of the numerically dominant 'Tram 2000' type introduced from 1976, some having been fitted with low-floor centre cars. Reintroduced in 2003, Zurich's cargo tram service is deployed as part of the city's refuse disposal system. SIGNALLING AND COMMUNICATIONS VBZ's integrated services involves trams, buses, trolley buses and funiculars, these being covered by a common system under the claim of 'one ticket for everything', albeit with many permutations of ticket types to suit customer needs. Trams are operated according to line of sight principals, with priority over road traffic at junctions. In practice, the most significant hold ups for trams at intersections in Zurich tend to be the transit of other trams. The traditional roof boards displaying route information are being supplanted by electronic displays on the Cobra fleet and with retro-fitting due on older vehicles. There are prominent service displays at the stops accommodating several routes, and VBZ has a programme of fitting real-time displays through the network. THE FUTURE Two light rail schemes are in hand that will connect with Zurich's tram network. The Glattalbahn, part operational by 2006, has a significant opening to the airport scheduled for 2008. Postponed through a change of venues for the Euro 2008 football tournament, the Tram Zurich-West project is projected to cost SF299m, drawing upon city, canton and federal budgets. "Two light rail schemes are in hand that will connect with Zurich's tram network." The approximately 3km of new route with seven new stops will connect the existing Escher-Wyss-Platz interchange with an initial western terminus at Bahnhof Altstetten for connections with the S-Bahn. The project includes street reworking to help facilitate changes in commercial and residential land use. Construction could start during autumn 2008 for a December 2011 target completion, with the likelihood of a short spur to the S-Bahn station Bhf. Hardbrücke added later. Some existing services will be restructured and redesignated as new infrastructure is added to the network. The Zurich-West scheme is represented as being the first stage of Liniennetzentwicklung 2025, a transport plan for further expansion deemed appropriate to handling 3% population increase and 11% jobs increase in the area over 20 years. http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/huntsville/ Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/huntsville/ Huntsville International Airport, Alabama Huntsville International is a medium-sized modern airport situated in Madison County, Alabama and is around 14km from the centre of the city of Huntsville. The airport is operated by Huntsville / Madison County Airport Authority and serves the Huntsville Decatur metropolitan area (celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2007). "Huntsville International is a medium-sized modern airport situated in Madison County." There are two asphalt runways 18L/36R (10,006ft, 3,050m) and 18R/36L (12,600ft, 3,840m), a modern terminal building with a 12-gate concourse and an excellent range of facilities including shops, restaurants, a Sheraton Four Points hotel, a golf course, a business centre, a lounge and a comprehensive spaceflight exhibition for the passengers. The airport is the largest cargo-handling airport in Alabama with services to Europe, Mexico and Hong Kong. EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Huntsville International Airport is undergoing some major renovation and expansion projects. These include: a new 243ft (74m) air traffic control tower ($22m) which will be opened in spring 2008, a $65m terminal expansion and a new concession area in the concourse (5,000ft²), which was opened in December 2007. Other projects are new flight information display systems at the gates and in the waiting area outside the terminal (new 46in LCD monitors), an extension to the parking building of a further 1,330 spaces, a new 20,000ft² waiting area for passengers incorporating a security screening facility and an $18m expansion of the International Intermodal Centre, which was completed in 2007. In 2005-2006 the west runway 18R/36L was lengthened to 12,600ft in a $31m project making it the second longest in south-east USA, however there are now plans to lengthen the two runways, to build a new runway and also for the construction of a new terminal building. The new 12,600ft long runway will allow Boeing 747s to be turned around in two hours and be fuelled up for direct Asia-Alabama flights for cargo and passengers. AIR CARGO EXPANSION In December 2007 the airport was negotiating a design / build contract worth $7.5m for the construction of a new air cargo building (84,000ft²) at the International Intermodal Centre (includes office and warehouse space). The company in line for the contract is Fite Building Co. Inc (based in Decatur) and it will include design and construction costs. The cost for the project has been included in the 2008 budget and the building is scheduled to be completed by 2009. The existing cargo facility at the airport has recently installed a state-of-the-art X-ray machine, which can take a full6ft × 6ft ×10ft cargo pallet and provide an X-ray examination. Another project at the airport will be the construction of a new 63,000ft² maintenance facility by Yates Construction and RW Armstrong for defence contractor WestWind Technologies. The facility will be owned by Aviation Facilities who will lease it to West Wind. PASSENGER WAITING AREA The passenger waiting area project (Chapman Sisson Architects) which started in December 2007 is worth more than $13m and will add two new wings near the current connector walkway and security checkpoint. "Huntsville is undergoing some major renovation projects." Each of the new wings will feature 30ft-high panoramic windows that will overlook airfield operations. The west wing will contain the security checkpoint, and the east wing will form a large lobby / seating area to accommodate up to 200 people. The renovation will significantly widen the walkway toward the new wings and actually add four times more new space than the current public areas. Work is scheduled to be completed in summer 2009.