UK rail freight operator Colas Rail will deploy Germany-based HaCon’s train planning system (TPS), in a bid to integrate with Network Rail’s TPS Enterprise solution.
This new development will help Colas Rail to quickly respond to customer demands and plan trains services, according to the latest date infrastructure and timetable data in TPS.
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With the new solution, Colas Rail’s train planners will be able to model, develop and adapt optimal schedules across the UK’s railway infrastructure.
Colas Rail freight director Simon Ball said: "The Colas Rail freight business has grown significantly over the past few years and we require a state-of-the-art planning solution to support this growth and meet our customers’ supply chain needs."
Using 32,000km of network, more than 100 million tonnes of freight is currently being transported in the country, which has witnessed 60% more freight transport over the last decade.
HaCon UK head David Faithful said: "The integration of TPS Enterprise as used by Network Rail and our TPS Operator solutions will continue to drive out significant advantages for the UK rail industry as a whole."
Earlier this year, Network Rail’s National Delivery Service (NDS) signed a five-year contract worth more than £600m with five suppliers, including Colas Rail, to provide haulage in different proportions for its fleet of engineering trains.
Image: Colas Rail’s trains will soon be planned with HaCon’s TPS. Photo: courtesy of Colas Rail.
