The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will use GPS technology to ensure the safety of track rail workers during upcoming maintenance works on the Hunter Valley Railway Network in New South Wales.
More than $20 million worth of essential maintenance will see sections of the track shut down to ensure works can be completed promptly and safely, and navigation technology will be deployed to keep workers safe while increasing efficiency.
ARTC will undertake a range of scheduled maintenance tasks, including full track reconstructions, new rail being laid, level crossing improvements, ballast cleaning, rail corridor tidy up works, and signalling maintenance.
Executive General Manager at Hunter Valley, Jonathan Vandervoort, said, “To minimise disruption, maintenance will be carried out as quickly as possible and earthworks will be completed with the help from GPS survey technology.
“This involves first calculating quantities and scoping out any possible problems, then using GPS equipped machines to carry out on site earthworks.
“The system allows plant operators to figure out the depth of excavation, and means a surveyor does not have to be continuously around plant to assess and communicate the levels.
“The clever use of technology has allowed us to minimise the disruption to the community by completing work faster and increased safety by reducing the number of workers around mobile plant,” Mr Vandervoort said.
Works will take place:
- From Islington to Telarah, and from Port Waratah and Kooragang to Maitland
- From Maitland to Muswellbrook
- From Muswellbrook to Ulan
- From Muswellbrook to Narrabri
