• Subscribe
  • Magazine
  • 40 Under 40
  • Supplier's Directory
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
    1. Rail
    2. Railroad Signals, PTC, Control Systems and Products

    Hitachi Rail launches innovations to improve reliability, safety, performance of America’s rail network

    Sept. 22, 2021
    Innovations include improved crossings gate mechanism, enhanced onboard train control systems, advanced wayside vital processor and more.
    Related To: Hitachi Rail
    Hitachi Rail
    Screen Shot 2021 09 22 At 9 34 56 Am 614b406f2bc01

    New product and service offerings for freight and passenger rail operators are being launched by Hitachi Rail as part of the Hitachi Group's investment and focus on the North American rail market. 

    The move follows investment in upgraded solutions that demonstrate Hitachi Rail’s commitment to being a full-service provider, capable of supplying a growing American freight and passenger rail market and helping to deliver the next rail railroad revolution.

    Four of the key innovations and solutions from Hitachi Rail are:

    • The improved Model 95-E gate crossing mechanism – featuring a new electronic control module and dustless motor technology that eliminates maintenance problems.
    • A new offer of signal design & material packages – specifically designed for freight and commuter rail to provide engineering services and turnkey wired signal houses for wayside signaling and crossing locations.
    • A new Vital Onboard Train Control platform – which brings together decades of onboard experience and a modern vital platform to improve safety and operations.
    • The advanced ViPro® Vital Processor for vital and non-vital wayside signaling and PTC applications – which combines core train control capabilities with next generation communications, monitoring and analytics.

    “This is a hugely exciting time for the U.S. transportation industry and at Hitachi Rail, we’re focused on enabling the next rail railroad revolution. Freight railroads are essential to the North America transportation network, and these new technology products and solutions aim to improve their reliability, safety and performance," said Jason White, executive officer, Hitachi Rail Americas. "Hitachi Rail is advancing its offer in the freight and transit sector, and I’m looking forward to talking to customers about how our innovations can help further the success of their businesses.”

    Innovations and product enhancements

    Model 95-E Gate Mechanism:

    • The new Model 95-E has been enhanced to include a new electronics control module and dustless motor technology.
    • This innovation solves key maintenance and safety problems caused by motor dust build up over time.

    Signal Design & Material Packages:

    • Hitachi Rail has launched Signal Design and Material Package solutions, specifically designed for freight and commuter rail.
    • The company’s established facilities in Batesburg, S.C., enable it to deliver all aspects of a project, including engineering, validation and test, materials management, warehousing and inventory, factory wiring and test, and delivery to field site.

    Vital Onboard System:

    • Hitachi Rail's new onboard train control system has the decades of onboard experience combined in a modern vital platform.
    • The platform, which is designed for current train control applications and future applications in both freight and passenger, offers a modern approach to safety and operational benefits.

    ViPro® Vital Processor:

    • ViPro is Hitachi Rail’s new, advanced vital processor, which is designed for vital and non-vital wayside signaling and PTC applications.
    • The processor is built for freight and mass transit applications. The ViPro® vital processor combines core train control capabilities with next generation communications, monitoring and analytics.
    • With backward capability to MicroLok® II systems, ViPro® offers a simple upgrade path for existing equipment installations in both freight and mass transit systems.