Context: Recently, the Ministry of Railways has commissioned Mobile Train Radio Communication (MTRC) System in Western Railway Trains..

About Mobile Train Radio Communication (MTRC) System

• It is an integrated system with the ongoing Train Management System in order to communicate with Driver and Guard by using the train number as well as cab number code.
• It is the first time that MTRC is commissioned in Indian Railways.
• It is TETRA (Terrestrial Trunk Radio) based Digital technology, employing TDMA on Air Interface and Internet Protocol based Network Architecture with Distributed Switching Architecture.
• The MTRC has a provision for broadcast call too in case of emergency.
• The new system has already been installed in 90 out of 100 rakes running between Churchgate and Virar.

Significance of MTRC System

• It is an effective and a technologically advanced communication system which can play an intrinsic role in preventing train accidents and reducing delays through effective communication.
• It facilitates an instant and constant interaction of train crew with the Control Centre and the Station Master.
• It acts in a similar way to that of Air traffic control (ARC) for aircrafts.
• It will monitor, track and aid in communication between the trains and the control room thereby ensuring smooth movement of rakes.
• The section controller can initiate Broadcast call to all Motormen/Guards of trains and same announcement can be extended for passengers of the train.

Need for MTRC System?

• It ensures safety of passengers by providing effective communication between Driver and Control Room.
• The existing very high frequency (VHF) based communication does not give facility for communication between the crew of running train and controllers of Control Office.
• It is not practical to establish Socket based Emergency Communication because it requires much time to reach EC and contacting Control can result into detention of trains.

Benefits of MTRC System

• Single touch dialing to call any of the Two Section Train Controllers, Dy. Train Controller, EMU Controller
• Auto Call Answer for Cab Radios for Motorman and Guards to receive only audio (Only from Controllers and call from another cab of same rake)
• Contact numbers of three controllers (TPC, SIG and TMS) are fed into the phonebook for easy access while dialing
• Motorman can directly communicate defect of EMU-to-EMU Controller which reduces detention of other trains
• In any Unusual Situation, i.e. if the called MTRC phone is busy then on making emergency call the overriding feature the speech will get through and communication will be established.