Technical Improvements

[#Metro]

Thought that I would start a new thread on 'technical improvements' given the things that have transpired over the recent weeks (boom gates hit, people running across tracks, rail rock attacks, assault etc). Some features might already be installed, I don't know...

Ideas

1. Every train should have an in-cab colour/high resolution CCTV camera which is recording. Control should be able to access it remotely and live to see everything the driver would see. This would be valuable in cases where an accident happens, there are people on the track, some other hazard or signal failures.

2. Cyclone fencing should be replaced with "panel mesh".

3. Black box/data logger for trains. These are put in aircraft and now many cars.

[O_128]

great ideas and the train improvements can easily be implemented in the next batch of trains. While we are at it we may aswell add some other improvements. the top of my list being that all windows on trains be replaced with scratch resistamt glass which is happening on trams in melbourne.

[ozbob]

First point:

I understand  front cameras have been fitted to some units already and all will be done in time ..

[#Metro]

Scratch proof is great.
Who has time to go around with the back of a kitchen pad and etch windows with scrawl? I mean, seriously?

Rail rock attacks are just sick. The glass should shatter safely or be resistant to projectiles.
The crushed rock they use for ballast is pretty formidable. I would not want to get hit by something like that casually flying through the air.

[#Metro]

I understand  front cameras have been fitted to some units already and all will be done in time ..

That's good news.
Are they live-access, colour and have good resolution? Or are they record-only, black & white?

[ozbob]

They are digital colour as far as I know, they will be linked into the real time onboard system eventually I would expect although record only as for the other onboard units at this time.

[ozbob]

Data loggers (black boxes) are in use on Queensland Rail. 

[longboi]

All excellent points, all already taken up by QR 

All units have black boxes (Notice how there is always a set of seats next to the cab door which has a box underneath it?)

As for forward-facing cameras, the new 160/260 IMU/SMU have these fitted and can be viewed in real time by guard/driver (Pretty good quality but occasionally cuts out). Currently the 220 class SMU sets are being overhauled which includes installing this technology. As mentioned earlier this year in The Courier Mail, onboard cameras will be able to be viewed by control in real-time.

Fencing is being improved as stations and perways are upgraded, It would always be good to see more fencing improvements though 

[WTN]

Scratch proof is great.
Who has time to go around with the back of a kitchen pad and etch windows with scrawl? I mean, seriously?

Rail rock attacks are just sick. The glass should shatter safely or be resistant to projectiles.
The crushed rock they use for ballast is pretty formidable. I would not want to get hit by something like that casually flying through the air.

I saw a sheet of window glass on an IMU160 completely shattered whilst travelling down the Gold Coast.  Although it was quite scary looking at it, the glass stayed intact.  There was another sheet on the inside so no fragments could enter the cabin.  I'm not sure if the same would happen on an older train.

As for scratches, it's probably due to boredom and a lack of discipline.  There's often "nothing to do" and no one to stop them if they can't control themselves.  Contrast this to Singapore.  I've been told by visitors that graffiti and vandalism is non-existent over there.