Revolutionizing Commuter Rail Travel with Ruggedized In-Vehicle Computers
The Company
In the dynamic world of commuter rail transportation, a pioneering company has made significant strides in transforming how passengers travel, establishing new benchmarks in efficiency and passenger comfort. This company has taken on the challenge of reinventing the conventional commuting experience, aiming to alleviate common issues like overcrowding, service reliability, and customer dissatisfaction. They aimed to create an enhanced, seamless travel experience that would shift commuter expectations.
Launching with a clear mission to innovate within the commuter rail sector, they concentrated on creating a superior, integrated travel journey that would improve the entire travel process for users. They currently operate in the southeastern United States, offering convenient, fast, and green travel options linking major cities. As of 2023, they run 18 trips daily, spanning 235 miles and serving around 2 million passengers. Furthermore, the company is actively working to extend its services, including a new western route connecting Los Angeles to Las Vegas. It plans to build additional infrastructure to grow its commuter rail network.
Challenge:
- Required a 110V solution for enhancing the gateway system for a better rider experience.
- Existing suppliers couldn't fulfill requirements for high voltage, input/output functionality, and ample storage.
- Needed industrial computing solutions with M12 PoE connections for enhanced safety and robustness.
Solution:
- Implemented C&T's ACO-6000-CML In-Vehicle Computer, tailored for the specific needs of railway systems with powerful processing capabilities and railway certifications.
- Configured with Intel 10th Generation CML processor for superior edge computing performance.
- Equipped with up to 8 POE M12 connectors to ensure safe and reliable connectivity across various train access gateways.
- Features High-Density Storage SATA SSD with Hardware RAID for reliable redundancy in IoT data storage.
- Complies with essential EN50155 Railway certifications and EMC standards to provide 110V voltage power protection and withstand shocks and vibrations.
Benefit:
- Established a strategic partnership featuring localized supply chain management.
- Ensured a certified, compliant industrial computing solution for a reliable and safe commuter experience.
- Provided comprehensive industrial computing engineering and full-scale manufacturing support for widespread railway deployment.
The Challenge
The company encountered a significant obstacle: the need for a sophisticated access gateway system within train passenger areas. They sought a system that could effectively organize passenger information, improve security, and integrate smoothly with existing technological frameworks. The aim was to establish an accessible platform that could handle ticketing, update passengers in real-time, and deliver personalized services during travel.
A critical issue was the requirement for a 110V power supply for seamless operation within the train environment, a specification not met by many industrial computing solutions due to their lower power capacities. The firm was adamant about this specification, rejecting any component that failed to comply with the 110V requirement. Moreover, the necessity for the solution to adhere to EMC standards as per EN50155 highlighted the stringent conditions typical of railway applications.
Furthermore, the desired system needed to include at least eight M12 PoE ports to ensure connectivity with multiple IoT access gateways across the train, a feature lacking in many systems that otherwise met the voltage criteria. These ports needed to be rugged to sustain IoT connections effectively.
Another requirement was the capability for substantial data collection and storage, which is integral for improving the commuting experience. The company emphasized the need for extensive high-density storage to manage the significant data flow within the train system.
As the landscape of U.S. travel evolves, offering alternatives to traditional car and airplane journeys, this firm aims to transform the rail travel industry, enhancing the overall passenger experience.
The Solution
After evaluating various solutions from different suppliers, the ACO-6000 Series from C&T emerged as the optimal choice to meet the project's specific demands. The ACO-6000-CML stands out as a robust embedded computing system ideal for applications that require high reliability, resilience, and sophisticated computing power.
The selection of the ACO-6000-CML was based on its exceptional features that support higher voltage requirements and possess the necessary certifications for use in mobile environments, all while delivering high-performance computing. Utilizing 10th Generation Core Processors, including Intel Xeon options, it offers stable performance essential for managing multiple IoT gateway operations.
Moreover, the ACO-6000-CML accommodates up to 16 POE ports through its modular EDGEBoost I/O daughterboards, surpassing the needed IoT connectivity for various access gateways across the train. The choice of M12 connectors over conventional RJ45 ports ensures secure, reliable connections throughout travel, addressing constant movements, shock, and vibrations.
Additionally, its capacity for high-density storage and hardware RAID addresses the need for extensive data collection. The system's external, hot-swappable drive bays facilitate easy data offloading, enhancing the company's ability to improve passenger services and experience continuously.
With EN50155 EMC compliance, the ACO-6000-CML Series can handle power supply inputs from 9-48VDC and 48-110VDC, accommodating all standard voltage levels found in electronic railway and rolling stock equipment, including 24V, 72V, and 110V.
The Result
The ACO-6000-CML provided the company with the exact embedded system needed for their railway application, allowing them to meet all their critical requirements. The distinctive design and certifications of C&T's ACO-6000 Series ensured that the company could address power voltage, IoT connectivity, and data management challenges within its commuter rail initiative. The deployment of this system brought numerous advantages, with its application in various actively operating commuter railways.
The integration of C&T's ACO-6000-CML In-Vehicle Computer turned out to be a game-changing move, redefining the experience of commuter rail travel. The advanced technology of this in-vehicle computer established a new standard for efficient and modern commuter rail services. With this implementation, the company has solidified its position as a frontrunner in the evolving field of commuter rail travel in the United States.
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