Washington DC Metro
Washington DC Metro trains to be equipped with Westermo Ethernet switches
Westermo Industrial Communications has just signed a contract worth in excess of $4M USD for the supply of Ethernet train and vehicle switches for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Series 7000 Rail Car Project. In addition to upgrading the existing fleet of Rail Cars, the new 7000 series cars will be used on the new Dulles Airport Metro Line.
The train communication and management system will be supplied by Toshiba, who has chosen Westermo as the supplier of data communications equipment. The order includes a variety of products from Westermo’s extremely robust Rail approved On Board product family, including the Viper-212 Standard and POE Vehicle Switch, the Red Fox Rail (RFR-12-FB) Train Backbone Switch and the M12 USB backup device, to equip 364 new train cars with an on-board network.
In addition to the 364 cars, there is potential for more orders as part of WMATA’s ongoing program to upgrade the Washington DC metro. Production deliveries to this project are expected to commence in 2013.
Quality and Experience are critical for delivery of solutions into the rolling stock environment where reliability and long service life are vital. Westermo’s lengthy and in depth experience as a supplier of On Board Communication Products to some of the world’s most demanding Rail Car manufacturers, Public Transport Authorities, System Integrators and Railroads was a key decision criterion. Extensive quality audits of Westermo’s production, R&D and support facilities were carried out which clearly confirmed Westermo’s unequalled abilities to fulfil the expectations of this market.
Another significant reason for the selection of Westermo as supplier on this project was the unique IP train concept. The Westermo IP train concept delivers a complete Ethernet switch and routing solution providing a robust network infrastructure for the creation of intelligent trains. All products are designed and manufactured to not only meet but exceed the EN50155 standard and to ensure extended service life and ultra-reliable operation.
To find out more about the Westermo IP train concept visit us at the Innotrans exhibition in Berlin, September 18-21.