Amtrak Ensures Safe Operation at High Speeds
The big interest in LonWorks® networking is the ease of integration for the different equipment supplied by vendors. You just have to define the parameters you want the system to send or listen to, and then you can bind those variables as you wish. This can evolve during the course of the project. You can change very easily without having to go back to the supplier, which is a great benefit in terms of cost and time.
— Alain Poirier, project engineer, Bombardier
Participants
- End user: Acela trains, Amtrak’s Boston to Washington, D.C. route
- Integrator: Bombardier/ALSTHOM
Challenge
- Ensure safe and optimal operation at high speeds
- Constantly monitor 15-20 systems for maintenance needs
- Maximize train uptime
- Enhance communication with passengers
- Simplify communication specification to the many train systems vendors
Solution
- Bombardier Car Network Manager software
- Echelon smart transceivers embedded in system sensors and devices:
- Collects maintenance information
- Provides data for passenger information systems
- Automatically compensates for lateral acceleration through turns
- Echelon Development Tools
Benefits
- Predictable maintenance costs, easy online access to maintenance information
- Automated speed limitations through the curves
- Easier “live” integration
- Simplified, expedited design process
- Reduced wiring costs
Next Steps
- Amtrak hopes to roll the program out nationwide
- Spend $10 billion over 10 years to create 10 similar high-speed rail corridors in 28 states