Freight - wired for information

Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes have been in regular service in Australia since 2005. Recent announcements of new locomotive and wagon orders, and the subsequent delivery and operation of new ECP equipped locomotives and wagons indicates that there is growing interest in the technology and the benefits it brings to improving train operations. There remain a number of barriers to more widespread application of ECP brake including the high cost of fitting ECP brakes to the fleets of existing wagons and the cost of service disruption during transition between braking systems. Looking to the future, there is significant opportunity for improving rail freight productivity and safety by utilising the full potential of the ECP brake hardware and software in conjunction with the improved telecommunications systems becoming available more generally in the industry. This paper examines the current state of implementation of ECP train brakes by Australian freight operators and the direct and indirect benefits that can be gained from having freight trains 'Wired for Information'.