Finnish Transport Agency (Liikennevirasto) Selects Vilant for Radio Frequency Identification System Implementation

Finnish Transport Agency (Liikennevirasto) Selects Vilant for Radio Frequency Identification System Implementation PR Newswire HELSINKI, June 18, 2012 HELSINKI, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This will be Europe's largest train identification system with passive RFID covering the whole of Finnish state rail network. Vilant will install 120 specialized RFID Reader Units, and integrate them into Liikennevirasto's detector network. The new, highly reliable railway tracking system aims to improve safety and service of operations on Finnish railroads. It provides real-time monitoring of trains passing at all speeds, up to 250 km/h, and even in the most remote areas utilizing the GPRS network. Background Liikennevirasto is responsible for the management, development and maintenance of the Finnish railway network. To ensure that traffic and safety needs are met, Liikennevirasto keeps track of the condition of the rolling stock on Finnish rails through a network of detectors installed along the track. Full exploitation of the data registered by the fault-detection system enables preventive maintenance for improved safety of railway operations. This can be achieved with RFID. For example, linking data accurately to an over-heated axle bearing (i.e. "hot axle boxes"), the wagon and the train it belongs to at the time it happens. Therefore, the faulty part can be replaced before it breaks.