Train Radio
Tender Documentation
We write clear, readable specifications. Aitken & Partners have a reputation for documents that allow innovation while tightly specifying performance and functionality. Many of the major railway communications systems in Australia were specified by Aitken & Partners: RailCorp, Pacific National and Westrail, to name a few!
Contract Reviews and Audits
Extensive technical experience and a thorough understanding of railway requirements are the basis of our contract reviews and technical audits. Aitken & Partners have reviewed and audited around $250 milliion worth of contract work. Our reviews have saved our clients some millions of dollars.
Emergency Telephones & CCTV
Passengers now expect emergency telephone systems to work and to work all the time. Railways rely on Closed Circuit Television for security and operations. Aitken & Partners are leaders in innovation and cost efficiency for railway emergency and surveillance systems.
Performance Audits
Communication networks are always designed to tight and carefully researched specifications. However, as the years go by, the original assumptions and decisions may be forgotten and the integrity of the system may inadvertently be corrupted.
Aitken & Partners have the experience and breadth of understanding necessary to audit the performance and applicability of your communication system.
Low Traffic Lines
It is easy to create a comprehensive communications design for railways that have high traffic level. The cost per train movement is not high and can be offset against operational and security improvements or requirements. This is certainly not the case for low traffic lines. Seasonal lines often cannot justify any expenditure on communications infrastructure. Twenty years of train radio design in Australia has made Aitken & Partners expert in systems for low traffic lines.
Something to consider
We believe that the user interface of radio systems deserves far more attention. Two books by psychologists explain why:
Human Error by James Reason is widely cited but perhaps not so widely read. It is certainly not easy reading. This is one of the definitive works on the subject. The Design of Everyday Things by Donald Norman is very readable and will challenge many of your assumptions. Think about your system as you read this book. Is error encouraged or minimised?