Global rail technology provider Bombardier Transportation has launched a smart maintenance system for rail signalling.

The system combines Internet of Things (IoT) technology with cloud and machine learning, data collection and analytics to predict equipment failures and schedule maintenance.

“The launch of our innovative, cloud-native, predictive maintenance service for signalling is a transformative step towards realising the benefits of digitalisation for railway performance,” Rail Control Solutions President Richard Hunter said in a statement.

Bombardier says the system is suited to widely distributed rail systems with a high number of trackside assets such as point machines and track circuits.

It uses wireless sensors, cloud systems and web-based interfaces and machine machine anticipate issues with signalling and associated infrastructure.

The system was developed by Bombardier’s Rail Control Solutions’ Services Team based in Sweden.

Bombardier a strong market in Australia’s rail industry and designs, engineers, manufactures and maintains rolling stock as well as signalling, rail equipment and asset management.

It recently announced it is building 18 more VLocity trains for commuters in regional Victoria as part of a Rollingstock Manufacture and Supply Agreement signed with the Victorian Government in 2018 for 54 new VLocity carriages to public transport operator V/Line.

They will be the first VLocity trains to run on standard gauge tracks on Victoria’s regional network and will run from Melbourne to Albury/Wodonga following the completion of the $235 million North East Line Upgrade.