The VCS is a control room system for integrating voice and data communications systems into a touchscreen operator console.

Emergency Operations Centres and Control Rooms are an essential component of emergency, disaster and crisis management. Robust reliable equipment is mandatory to ensure life safety. Integrated Voice Communications are the essential component in effective and efficient management of different resources such as personnel, emergency services and media. The base 2 Voice Communications System or VCS has been proven in real world situations including the high volume Sydney Olympic period, Glenbrook Rail Disaster and New South Wales Bushfire Crisis.

The VCS has the ability to integrate different voice and data technologies into a single system. For Example, Open Channel Radio, Single Channel Radio, Public Telephone, Private Telephone, Omnibus, Wayside Circuits and Paging can all be accessed through a single console using a single common procedure regardless of the underlying physical communications equipment. This also means that migration to newer technologies can be done safely and seamlessly.

This simple, consistent operation is essential in an emergency situation to allow the operator to concentrate on the emergency rather than the operation of equipment.
Incoming calls to a console can easily be identified and answered through the use of 3 levels of priority. These being Emergency calls, Priority Calls and Normal Calls. Each VCS console operates in Open Channel Mode. This means that whenever an operator answers an incoming call or makes an outgoing call this call is added into the operators personal call conference. This allows the operator to simultaneously provide instructions to multiple parties without the need to switch between different calls or different equipment. The conference also allows the calling party to give information to a number of people without the operator having to relay the conversation to other parties.
The VCS provides the ability to configure a number of consoles as a group. A group is user defined but is normally a physical area or region. Incoming calls are assigned to a group and a consoles active assignments will determine who will receive the call. Also, the call can be dynamically steered based on geolocation (for example GPS enabled vehicles or Trains). Dynamic grouping or amalgamated working satisifies boundary and workload changes due to after hours or weekend operation.

Disaster Recovery Flexibility

The VCS design provides a large variety of options for disaster recovery. The example above shows a common disaster scenario. The primary control centre has been evacuated for example due to a bomb threat. This means that the controllers are unable to access their desks. Usually this may mean relocating to the DRC and then significant technical resources and time would be required for reconfiguration of all equipment and numbers to operate via the DRC backend equipment. The reality is, there is nothing wrong with the Primary Control Centre equipment. In this scenario a simple redirect of the DRC consoles to use the Primary Control Centre equipment could be performed. This would allow full function operation in a matter of minutes with no reconfiguration to radio networks, PABX, telephone numbers, or other equipment.

Sample Integration – Rail Wayside Monitoring

Some faults on a Train can have serious implications to the rail infrastructure thereby impacting the entire network. For example a train dragging debris behind could damage many kilometres of track before being halted. Trackside equipment for monitoring Train faults that may impact the rail infrastructure are annunciated directly on the VCS.

This means that the control centre can immediately take action via the VCS to (i) Contact the Driver and stop the train (ii) Mobilise and report to maintenance (iii) Notify driver of exact wheel/bearing/carriage so can be immediately inspected. (iv) Contact other trains and trackside workers. (v) Mobilise alternative transport (ex buses) around the affected area. Fast and coordinated action via the VCS thereby either preventing or minimising damage to the network infrastructure.