A new state-of-the-art Rail Operations Centre (ROC) has recently been opened in Alexandria.
The ROC boasts a giant 33 metre display screen with 42 pixels and is larger than the screen that is used by NASA at Mission Control. The high-tech centre aims to facilitate safer train travel as well as alleviate train delays by providing faster information and restoration of services. Timetables and other information can also be made available to the public through brochure printing services.
Trains running within the network will be monitored in real time and CCTV footage of all rail stations will be readily available. Transport Minister, Andrew Constance has said that the facility was “bigger and better than NASA”.
NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian has toured the facility and praised the centre for being a global first. She further said that the new facility has the potential to be the best in the world and hopes that this will be the beginning of a new era of transport across Sydney as well as setting the standard for the rest of Australia to follow.
With 2,000 square metres to fill, the building will be manned by 100 people in the control room working rotational shifts over a 24-hour period. The other levels of the facility will house staff engaged in train planning, management of the track and customer information.
