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

• Hitachi Rail launches new innovations and products to improve reliability, safety and performance of America’s railroad at RSSI’s Communication & Signal (C&S) Exhibition.
• Investment in technology and solution expands company’s offer to rail customers.
• North American transportation market represents key priority for Hitachi Rail – with technology solutions spanning freight, passenger, and digital transportation.
• Innovations include improved crossings gate mechanism, enhanced onboard train control systems, advanced wayside vital processor, and new signal design and material package services to freight and commuter customers.

Pittsburgh, USA, 09.21.21: Hitachi Rail launches new innovations today as part of an enhanced offer to freight railroads and passenger rail operators, as the Hitachi Group continues its investment and focus on the North American rail market.

The company launched enhanced products as part of its offer at the Railway Systems Supplies, Inc. (RSSI) C&S Exhibition being held in Indianapolis, Indiana, later this week. 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 that Hitachi Rail will be displayed include:

• 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.

Commenting on the launch of the innovative products, Jason White, Executive Officer, Hitachi Rail Americas, said:

“This is a hugely exciting time for the US 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.

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:

• Hitachi Rail’s proven Model 95 crossing gate mechanism has decades of reliable and safe performance across North America.
• 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, following decades of experience of delivering wayside solutions for passenger and transit.
• The company’s established facilities in Batesburg, South Carolina enable it to deliver all aspects of a project, including engineering, validation & test, materials management, warehousing & inventory, factory wiring & test, and delivery to field site.

Vital Onboard System:

• Hitachi Rail has launched their new onboard train control system, which has the decades of vital 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 nonvital 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.

Notes to the editors:

Hitachi Rail is exhibiting at Rail Systems Supplies exhibition being held in Indianapolis, Indiana, this week at stand number 601.

For customer enquiries, please contact: 

Miles Metschke, Head of Freight Rail Americas

+1 412 735 2911 - miles.metschke@hitachirail.com

For media enquiries, please contact:

Kazuko Amamoto, Senior Manager - Hitachi America

kazuko.amamoto@hal.hitachi.com