iTnews

Supercomputers shunted into heavy rail research by CQU

By Matt Johnston on May 28, 2019 12:13PM
Supercomputers shunted into heavy rail research by CQU

Reducing data crunching from eight months to three days.

Railway researchers Central Queensland University’s Centre for Rail Engineering (CRE) have had to turn to high performance computing clusters after their desktop PCs failed to keep up with the complexity of their data simulations.

The CRE has been tasked with advancing train dynamics knowledge to better understand how the forces of hauling goods across Australia impact on the nation’s billions of dollars worth of wagons, locomotives and rails.

Recent work has combined software simulations with a trove a data collected by rail manufacturers and operators collected during the development of new products, a monumental task which could take up to eight months to complete on the researchers' PCs.

Now the CRE can turn that data into easily-digestible simulations using the university’s HPC clusters in as little as three days, running on 400 out of over 500 available cores.

One of the key components for simulations is CRE’s Longitudinal Train Dynamics Software (CRELTS), which has been continuously developed since the centre’s first dynamics management project in 1994 to gather and present data.

It can analyse and evaluate whole-of-trip performance under varying conditions including load size, train length, power and breaking to deliver reports on the best way to balance fuel, speed compliance, safety and travel times without over-working physical infrastructure.

The CRE team then couples this data with GENSYS simulation software to complete comprehensive analyses of the train-locomotive-wagon-track system and provide improved advice to industry on rail and wheel dynamics and wear.

Small gains in efficiency have a huge impact in Australia’s rail enormous railway ecosystem - freight operator Aurizon revealed last year it had saved $380 million in three years by deploying internet of things sensors across its fleet to maximise fuel efficiency and transition to a data-driven preventative maintenance roster.

CQU’s enhanced ‘what if’ tool, however, will contribute to rail safety standards across all of Australia by informing new initiatives at the Australian Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board.

The Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation has also leaned on CRE’s simulation capabilities in a 2018 review of track defect management processes.

A further project with the Australian Transit Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been greenlit to use CRE’s expertise to delve into unsolved issues the ATSB is continuing to investigate in a 2008 train derailment near Winton in Victoria.

Got a news tip for our journalists? Share it with us anonymously here.
Copyright © iTnews.com.au . All rights reserved.
Tags:
atsb cqu freight hardware hpc projects rail supercomputer transportit

Partner Content

Putting cyber security basics in place
Partner Content Putting cyber security basics in place
Shut the door on ransomware
Promoted Content Shut the door on ransomware
Resetting cyber security for the new threat landscape
Partner Content Resetting cyber security for the new threat landscape
Improving returns from SD-WAN spending
Partner Content Improving returns from SD-WAN spending

Sponsored Whitepapers

Encryption: Protect your most critical data
Encryption: Protect your most critical data
Overcoming data security challenges in a hybrid, multicloud world
Overcoming data security challenges in a hybrid, multicloud world
Move beyond passwords
Move beyond passwords
The top 5 tech trends to deliver business outcomes
The top 5 tech trends to deliver business outcomes
10 reasons why businesses need to invest in cloud security training
10 reasons why businesses need to invest in cloud security training

Events

  • On-Demand Webinar: How Poly and Microsoft are Embracing Future Work Environments
By Matt Johnston
May 28 2019
12:13PM
0 Comments

Related Articles

  • Pawsey begins hunt for new $70m supercomputer
  • HPE to build Pawsey's $48m new supercomputer
  • NCI, Pawsey join US-led compute consortium for COVID-19 research
  • COVID-19 pushes Sydney Trains to build occupancy reporting app for staff
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Whatsapp Email A Friend

Most Read Articles

TPG Telecom to start enticing NBN customers to move

TPG Telecom to start enticing NBN customers to move

CBA becomes first 'Big 4' data recipient under CDR

CBA becomes first 'Big 4' data recipient under CDR

NSW Police green-lights Mark43 for $1bn COPS overhaul

NSW Police green-lights Mark43 for $1bn COPS overhaul

Urgent patches out for exploited Exchange Server zero-days

Urgent patches out for exploited Exchange Server zero-days

You must be a registered member of iTnews to post a comment.
Log In | Register
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorisation.
Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of nextmedia's Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.