Hitachi Rail is connecting the future of mobility in Australia - helping every passenger, customer, community and economy enjoy the benefits of smart, seamless and sustainable transport.

With more than 600 specialists working across the country, we design, develop and deliver world-leading digital systems and solutions that enable more accessible and affordable travel and more resilient and productive rail networks – with safety always at the forefront.

For the last 30 years, we have been assisting governments, planners and operators meet the demands of population and business growth while supporting growing cities, regions and industries.  And today, we continue to create future-ready transport solutions, increase capacity, ease urban mobility, and deliver critical safety gains and operational efficiencies.

Leading the Way With Local Innovation

Our on-the-ground experience combined with local technology experts, has resulted in Australia developing world-leading solutions such as our latest traffic and possession management systems. With cross-sector application, the solutions integrate the dynamic and detailed planning, management and monitoring of trains as well as allow safe maintenance to be undertaken as part of our wider solution.

Intelligent Asset Management

Our asset management technology, data collection and analytic capabilities maximise asset availability and minimise whole-of-life cost and risk. This is achieved through network-wide asset data capture and monitoring, reduced maintenance cost and time, proactive and predictive maintenance, less downtime and delays, and improved reliability.

Powering More Sustainable Journeys

By helping bring smart mobility to life, we help customers increase the popularity of public transport, take cars off roads, and cut carbon, congestion and costs. Through technology and innovation, we also help freight operators conserve energy, reduce fuel and emissions, and move towards their own sustainability targets.

Moving Heavy Haul and Freight Forward

Our pioneering signalling and train control innovations are transforming heavy haul operations worldwide.

Our heavy haul solutions are designed to deliver ongoing cost savings and efficiencies through a standardised platform, reducing maintenance needs with minimal trackside infrastructure, and enhancing asset management and preventative maintenance capabilities. This extends optimising pit to port operations and supporting clients’ decarbonisation efforts. Additionally, our ongoing development of maintenance worker and vehicle protection tablet solutions promises to be a game changer for heavy haul and freight operators.

Our global centre of excellence for heavy haul is based in Australia with many new capabilities developed and proven on the vast and remote networks renowned in this sector. This includes the possibility of adopting artificial intelligence for collision avoidance.

Rio Tinto

As the long-term strategic partner and systems integrator for iron ore giant, Rio Tinto in Australia, we were the technical and delivery lead behind AutoHaul™, the world’s first fully autonomous heavy-haul rail network.

Utilising cutting-edge technology, Hitachi Rail designed and implemented a system that has significantly increased average speeds and improved section run times. By eliminating the need for mid-journey driver transport for shift changes, AutoHaul™ has reduced nearly 1.5 million kilometres of road travel annually. The system has also enhanced safety by minimising risks at level crossings and automating responses to speed restrictions and alarms.

In 2022 we successfully integrated the new Gudai-Darri mine network extension into the AutoHaul™ system.

We continue to work closely with Rio Tinto to plan and manage assets, streamline maintenance (including rapid response and issue resolution), reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions, and set new benchmarks in heavy-haul safety, operational efficiency, and system flexibility.

Roy Hill

For Roy Hill, we delivered a digital signalling and communication solution spanning nearly 350 kilometres of track: the first in the world to use a global navigation satellite system for signalling on a heavy-haul railway. It was designed in parallel with the mine’s phased requirements, with adaptability for future needs. More recently our work with Roy Hill has involved the design, fitment and testing of onboard technology.

Freight Projects Across Australia

Hitachi Rail has delivered sustainable transport solutions and network enhancements for freight rail operators in Australia including Arc Infrastructure, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and Australia’s largest freight operator, Aurizon.

Learn more about our Australian business [PDF Download]