Frauscher Sensor Technology has completed the divestiture to Wabtec Corporation.

Find Out More

Tracking Trains in Houston | USA
Train DetectionUnited States of America

Tracking Trains in Houston

Operator
MTA Houston
Country
United States of America
Partner
MEC Mass Electric Corp.
Segment
Main & Regional Line
Application
Track Vacancy Detection
Products
FAdC®, RSR180
Year
2016
Scope of project
565 wheel sensors, 103 equipment locations
Download

Houston MetroRail (METRO for short) is comprised of three light-rail lines covering 22 miles. Two-car, low-floor trainsets are powered by overhead catenary and operated on a mix of rail types, including embedded, grooved, concrete, and ballasted track. Harsh weather conditions such as extreme heat, humidity, and storms with heavy rains causing floods are typical for Houston. Combined with the variable track structure this caused significant malfunctions of the wheel sensors of METRO’s signalling system.

In order to improve the system, METRO conducted trial installations with several suppliers of axle counter solutions to demonstrate features and the overall performance of their respective products. Due to the complicated track structure and environmental conditions, Frauscher quickly understood that the required wheel sensors had to be simple to install, immune to extreme heat as well as waterproof as floods could easily occur. The trial results demonstrated that the Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdC® met all of METRO’s requirements in terms of environmental influences, interfaces, reliability and seamless integration into the existing infrastructure.

The flexible design of the FAdC® allows efficient data transfer via relay interface to the traffic control system and interlocking. Additionally, two optional intelligent functions, Supervisor Track Sections and Counting Head Control, were used to counter the effects of unexpected influences such as metallic debris. The installed Frauscher Wheel Sensor RSR180 is extremely robust and not affected by any environmental influences.

In total, 565 Wheel Sensors RSR180 were installed along the rail line, and the axle counter Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdC® in 103 locations throughout the network to guarantee a flawless operation of the line.

Excellent match of requirements

The Frauscher axle counting solution met all of METRO’s environmental, interface and reliability requirements. The straightforward installation and smooth transition from the existing train detection system was highly appreciated by the operator.

Reduction of costs

The new system caused a significant reduction in down time and maintenance costs, which will continue to add up over the lifecycle of the system. The additional smart functionalities that were implemented increased the availability of the system even further.

Similar Projects
This might also interest you
1/5
Train DetectionCanada

Edmonton Metro Line

The Edmonton Metro Line was experiencing significant issues with its newly installed Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, which did not perform to the operator‘s expectations. The city was forced to run an incomplete schedule with reduced train speed and frequency which negatively affected commuters and the city of Edmonton in general. Finally in 2019, the operator decided to install a new system in cooperation with Frauscher.
Learn More
Train DetectionIndia

Ensuring reliable rail operations across India´s longest rail-road bridge

The Bogibeel Bridge is India’s longest rail-road bridge that connects Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, carrying both rail and road traffic across the Brahmaputra River. Harsh environmental conditions and structural constraints made conventional signalling unworkable. The Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdC® axle counting system was selected for its proven reliability and low maintenance under these challenging conditions.
Learn More
Train DetectionChina

CBTC Fallback System on Beijing Metro Lines

Beijing metro, one of the busiest lines in the world, was Frauscher’s very first assignment when entering the Chinese market. Due to its utilised capacity, it requires a great level of stability, reliability and performance of the entire signalling system. The Communication Based Train Control System (CBTC) applied here relies on a backup system consisting of fixed automatic train detection systems. Axle counting systems from Frauscher are perfectly suited for the accurate operation of such stand-by systems.
Learn More
Train DetectionIndia

Increasing Availability at Adra Yard

Adra Yard belongs to the Southeastern Railway Zone of Indian Railways and is in West Bengal. Initially the yard was equipped with track circuits and there was a requirement to get them replaced with the Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdC®. This project is one of Frauscher’s esteemed Indian Railway Projects with a coverage of 139 counting heads and 97 track sections.
Learn More
Train DetectionKazakhstan

FAdC® at Vhodnaya Station

ArcelorMittal is responsible for the operation of a dedicated industrial railway infrastructure located in Temirtau, Kazakhstan. At Vhodnaya station, an essential shunting yard, various goods and materials, such as polyester, zinc, aluminium, sinter, iron ore, and coke-chemical products, are loaded and unloaded. The station's robust infrastructure features 64 switching points and 68 signals, necessitating the use of a high-performing train detection system to ensure the safe and efficient management of traffic flow.
Learn More