Siemens Mobility, Ondas Networks to Upgrade Metra’s Legacy Communications Network
As the primary transit operator serving passengers in the Chicago metropolitan area, Metra connects more than 100 communities across 242 rail stations.
Metra’s order follows collaboration between Siemens Mobility and wireless technology partner Ondas Networks. The two worked closely with railroads nationwide to validate the reliability of the new IEEE 802.16t (“dot16”) technology and simplify the transition from legacy systems to a cutting-edge 900 MHz wireless communications network.
Designed for mission-critical private industrial networks, dot16 provides an upgrade path from legacy narrowband systems, delivering increased capacity, bandwidth, security, and flexibility for multiple advanced applications in a modern general purpose IP network, according to the companies.
As the first 900 MHz wireless network upgrade by a major railroad, Metra’s order, the companies say, “will set the tone for the future of enhanced railroad connectivity and communications across the country.” Perfect for a busy city like Chicago, Siemens Mobility’s Airlink wireless network technology is “scalable, secure, and designed to operate seamlessly in challenging environments, including high-speed rail and dense urban transit systems.”
“Chicago has one of the most complex railroad wireless environments in the country,” said Tobias Bauer, Head of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility North America. “Our Siemens Mobility Airlink wireless platform, which incorporates the new dot16 wireless standard adopted by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), will upgrade Chicago’s legacy communications network to provide reliable, secure wireless connectivity for mission critical operations. That means enhanced data capacity and flexibility for Chicago’s rail operators and more seamless travel for the city’s commuters.”
“We are thrilled to work closely with Siemens Mobility and Metra in the 900 MHz network to upgrade and support reliable communications essential for train operations,” said Ondas Networks Chairman and CEO Eric Brock. “Further, this is an important milestone, confirming that Ondas Networks and Siemens Mobility have established a comprehensive deployment plan for the new 900 MHz wireless network for North American railroads. From here, we look forward to working closely with additional customers across the railroad sector in North America to support a broader transition to a new 900 MHz network powered by standards-based dot16 wireless technology.”
Together, Metra, Siemens Mobility and Ondas Networks “will transform the everyday for Chicago commuters, digitalizing the city’s rail systems with the next-generation of IP-based communication systems for the automated, smart railroad of the future,” the companies said.
