Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
Wabtec Signs Contract to Provide ETMS® to Metra Commuter Railroad
WILMERDING, Pa., November 6, 2006 - Wabtec Railway Electronics, a subsidiary of Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB), has signed a contract to provide its Electronic Train Management System® (ETMS®) to Metra, the regional commuter railroad serving Chicago.
Under the contract, Wabtec will install ETMS on 24 locomotives and 24 passenger cars used on the Rock Island line, which makes up about 10 percent of Metra's system. Installation will begin in early 2007, with the ETMS-equipped locomotives and cars in revenue service in 2008. MotivePower, another Wabtec subsidiary, originally built some of these locomotives in 2003-04.
"As the leader in train control technology and related products, we are pleased that Metra has chosen our train control solution," said Albert J. Neupaver, Wabtec's president and chief executive officer. "ETMS has already demonstrated both operational and safety benefits during extensive testing in the freight rail industry, and we're excited to expand its application to passenger transportation."
With ETMS, movement-related information, such as authority limits, speed limits, signal aspects and work zones are passed through a digital communications network to an on-board computer. The onboard computer, with location information provided via the global positioning system, will automatically initiate enforcement braking if the engineer fails to respond appropriately to movement and speed limit information. In addition, a computer screen inside the locomotive cab displays the authority limits, speed limits and work zones, as well as a moving map detailing grade, curvature and track topology.
With locations in Germantown, Md. and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Wabtec Railway Electronics is a leader in the development and manufacture of electronic train control equipment and system solutions for the rail industry. Wabtec Corporation (www.wabtec.com) is a global provider of value-added, technology-based products and services for the rail industry.
1001 Air Brake Avenue
Wilmerding, PA 15148
Phone: 412.825.1543
Fax: 412.825.1789
Contact:
Tim Wesley
(412) 825-1543
