Australian electronically controlled pneumatic brake system: OZ-ECP

Rail freight forwarding trends are for: heavier wagon loads; longer train constructs; and faster speeds. However, much of the Australian rail infrastructure and its rolling stock have been inherited from a 19th century legacy. Upcoming changes will create difficult problems for traditional braking systems, which highlight the need for more modern braking systems to-cope with changing demands. A low cost Australian electronically controlled pneumatic, (OZ-EPC) brake system has been developed for the freight railway industry in Australia and the rest of the world to meet these future needs. The concept involves retrofitting railcars with controller valves to achieve the same response and handling as currently available in electronically controlled pneumatic brakes. Retrofitted, wagons will retain the existing pneumatic equipment for automatic backup and will be able to operate with either electronic brakes or revert to conventional pneumatic brakes. This paper will provide a description of the OZ-ECP braking system and the advantages this system has over other electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) braking systems.