Railways Implementing Upgraded Fiber-Optic Communication Systems
**Taiwan Railway Corporation (TRC) Announces Major Modernization Program**
The Taiwan Railway Corporation (TRC) has unveiled a significant modernization program aimed at upgrading its internal communications systems and network infrastructure. The upgrade from traditional telephone-based systems to fiber-optic technology is expected to deliver several key benefits, though the exact cost of the project and some specific details remain undisclosed.
The modernization program will see the deployment of fiber optics and digital equipment at 242 train stations along the 1,065km of railroad operated by TRC. The upgrade will include the installation of four Internet switches, including two active and redundant units, and the installation of 56 switch gateways, 169 gateways, and two train operation switchboards.
TRC's decision to upgrade its systems is expected to reduce the risk of service interruption due to electrical circuit malfunctions. The upgraded systems will also be integrated into TRC's Multiprotocol Label Switching over Internet Protocol (MPLS-IP) system, along with the existing telephone and operational systems.
The move towards fiber-optic communications technology is a shift towards a more robust, scalable, and secure communications backbone, essential for modern railway operations. The upgrade is expected to deliver several key benefits, including enhanced reliability, greater bandwidth, improved safety, future-proofing, and operational efficiency.
While the announcement emphasizes the technological shift, specific performance metrics or projected operational savings have not been disclosed. The timeline for the completion of the modernization program and its potential impact on train schedules or services have also not been specified.
The automatic telephone system being replaced was installed in 1990, and the landline train operation system being replaced was originally installed in 2004. Despite the lack of cost estimates or funding sources in the modernization program announcement, large-scale telecommunications upgrades in rail networks typically entail significant capital investment.
The modernization program is a significant step forward for TRC as it seeks to improve its operations and prepare for the future of digital rail services. As more details become available, we will keep you updated on this exciting development.
- The modernization program at Taiwan Railway Corporation (TRC) will incorporate data-and-cloud-computing technology through the integration of their systems into the Multiprotocol Label Switching over Internet Protocol (MPLS-IP) system.
- The upgrade of Taiwan Railway Corporation's (TRC) systems is a testament to the embrace of technology, as they transition from traditional telephone-based systems to fiber-optic technology, which offers a more robust, scalable, and secure communications backbone for modern railway operations.
