Amtrak activates RailComm system in Chicago
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefFairport, N.Y.-based RailComm said Friday its Yard Automation System at Amtrak’s Chicago Union Station is now operational.
Through a contract with HNTB and Kiewit-Western, RailComm designed its system to meet the challenging requirements that were presented within Amtrak’s existing rail infrastructure.
The automation system is commanded by RailComm’s DOC® (Domain Operations Controller) server-based central control platform. The system operator is in control of over 100 GETS Hydra-Switches and dozens of power derail devices, blue flag indicators, switch heater locations, and two diesel generators. Additionally, the system uses RailComm’s RADiANT™ data radios to communicate between the office system and the network of controlled devices. Amtrak personnel operate the automation system from two tower locations.
