Railways depend on telecoms
Railway networks depend on telecoms. Without adequate systems in place, trains would not be able to run.
GSM-R, adopted in most European countries following International Union of Railways (UIC) guidelines, provides a vital radio communication link between train drivers and signallers, as well as supporting the European Train Control System (ETCS), which details train movements without the need for lineside signalling.
Internet Protocol (IP) technologies are used widely in support of signalling activities, critical communication links, surveillance and CCTV monitoring amongst many others, supported by an extensive fibre and copper network.
Wi-Fi provides connectivity to the internet for passengers but is also being considered as a viable use for signalling on the underground.
Long Term Evolution (LTE), initially designed to provide mobile communications to consumer smart devices, offering quicker access to data, is finding its way into critical communication applications, including as a potential replacement for GSM-R.
Engineers working with these technologies need to be skilled in how these systems operate, as well as remaining up-to-date with emerging capabilities.
Wray Castle maintains a portfolio of training courses for those working within the railway industry, including courses on GSM-R, LTE, IP networking and Wi-Fi.
For more information, visit our page for the transport industry.