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RTR 4/2010 41 Upgrading Information and Communication Technology systems in Victoria (Australia) „ as possible. Train graphs have been configured specifically to assist with the planning of train services in the CBD of Melbourne. It has a complex set of circular routes where inbound trains can be redistributed to differing outbound routes. Therefore the importance of coupling timetabling and vehicle scheduling is of paramount importance within the design process. The traditional train graph has therefore been enhanced to show the linking of each train schedule in additional to the details of timings, display of individual running lines in multiple track areas (Fig. 6). As an enterprise system, TMS supports requirements for work flow management by the use of work packages. This greatly simplifies the tasks involved in replanning on a short term basis. For instance events such as major cricket and football games require significant additional services to be implemented at short notice. As with all railways, there are also requirements to plan track outages in order to support engineering operations. Each task can be allocated to a specific named planner. When all of the tasks have been completed, all downstream systems are then provided with identical information. As part of the same process it is then possible to publish documents containing all of the relevant information with the confidence that consistency and quality are maintained throughout. 4.2 Fleet Management System (FMS) The Fleet Management System (FMS) supports the deployment of the vehicle fleets: EMUs, DMUs, and locomotives and their real-time operation. It is closely coupled to TMS and takes advantage of the richness of data supplied from the planning environment. In particular, executing the plan for the EMU fleet requires some very specific considerations. Stabling locations are distributed throughout the Melbourne area and are used both overnight and between the morning and evening peak periods. through information rich graphic displays that the users can configure to meet their own requirements and preferences. The starting points for the TMS and FMS components of the planning systems are the proprietary products TrainPlan, ResourcePlan and ResourceManager from Funkwerk Information Technologies. Between them, these products provide train timetabling and vehicle planning capabilities together with support for real-time vehicle management. These are used for both metropolitan and regional train operations. Although these are COTS products, the individual nature of each railway requires that a degree of customisation and enhancement is also needed. Inherently each railway has planning problems based upon different geographical topologies and traffic types. 4.1 Timetable Management System (TMS) The DoT’s vision requires a tight coupling of both planning and real-time management systems in order to deliver the necessary efficiencies. Key aspects of the planning process require the use of resources which are already working close to capacity. On the Metropolitan network, levels of passenger demand have increased remarkably in recent years. TMS is designed to help manage the utilisation of mobile resources – rolling stock and crews, and also fixed resources – i. e. track and station platform capacity. It is also designed to assist the management of the movement of trains in and out of service from distributed storage yards and maintenance depots. TMS also stores all of the planning data within a single environment. Any manipulation of scheduling data together with the generation of reports now comes from a single repository. This provides a definitive source of data which supports downstream systems including core activities such as route setting within the signalling systems. TMS makes extensive use of graphical tools to make the planner’s life as simple For the metropolitan railway, a program of works is underway that includes providing operational control systems for (Fig. 5): Planning – Timetable planning and production (via TMS) – Short term fleet planning, allocation and management (via FMS) – Long and short term staff planning, allocation and management (via SMS) Service Management – Day-of–operation timetable management (via TCMS) – Train path (route) management (via TCMS) Reporting – Passenger information (via PRIDE and CIS) – Service performance reporting (via PRS) Business information systems comprise conventional enterprise Information Technology (IT) networks (hardware and software) used to provide standard office functions such as records management, accounting and administration. They also include purpose-designed software applications used to assist transport operators and the State with operating, managing and regulating public transport services. 4 The solution for Control and Information systems (CIS) Funkwerk IT has based its solution for the State of Victoria on Configurable Off-TheShelf (COTS) systems that combine proven operational practice with up-to-date technology. The systems are proven in long term and short term timetable and fleet planning for complex railway operations, and for the dayto-day management of the reality of railway operations. Based on Funkwerk IT’s TrainPlan, ResourcePlan, and ResourceManager products, the systems provide the railway operators with robust timetables and resource allocation plans, and with a clear view of the on-the-day activities. All of this is delivered Barix Annuncicom 155 The robust, IP-based solution for intercom and announcement systems in trains, stations and tunnels. www.barix.com

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