Automated Metros Observatory
Oct 28 2013

Serco to operate Dubai metro until 2019

by uitp in News

Dubai metro

Serco Group plc (Serco), has announced that it has signed an extension to its contract with the Dubai Government Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to continue to operate and maintain the Dubai Metro.  The five-year extension which will run to September 2019 is valued at approximately £355m, with an opportunity to extend for a further two years to 2021. Read more →

Oct 21 2013

UITP and partners to conduct study on CBTC as part of EU project NGTC

by uitp in News

UITP is organising a CBTC market analysis in the framework of the European Union project NGTC (Next Generation Train Control). This project focuses on train control systems in the field of urban and main line European railway systems. Read more →

Oct 16 2013

Riyadh automated lines 1 & 2 entire turnkey system awarded

by uitp in News

Siemens press picture

With six lines and a total route length of 175 kilometers, Riyadh is planning the world’s largest subway project. Siemens is to supply the entire turnkey system for two driverless metro lines.

The order for Siemens covers subway rolling stock, as well as electrification systems and signaling technology for driverless operation. Siemens is also responsible for system integration across the 63 kilometers making up the lines.

Siemens was awarded the order by the High Commission for Urban Development (ArRiyadh Development Authority), with its share worth a total of some 1.5 billion euros (2.1 billion US-dollars), as part of a consortium with the US company Bechtel and the local construction outfits Almabani and Consolidated Contractors Company. The total order value for the consortium is approximately 7.5 billion euros (10 billion US-dollars).

Vehicles and signaling & train control technology

Siemens press picture

Siemens is equipping Lines 1 and 2 of the six-line system. The company will deliver a total of 74 Inspiro-type metro vehicles. The aluminum-bodied trains are designed to run on standard-gauge track at a top speed of 90 km/h. The 2 and 4-car trains have been designed with the region’s particular climate in mind. One such feature is a higher capacity air conditioning system, capable of delivering sufficient cooling power to ensure the wellbeing of passengers even in extreme heat. In addition, the bogies, traction drive, brakes and doors have been fitted with special seals and filters in order to reduce the ingress of sand.

The signaling and train control technology ensures that especially during rush-hour periods trains can operate at 90-second intervals, an operating frequency that enables the system to handle 21,000 passengers per hour. The two lines will be equipped with a Siemens-supplied, WLAN-based control system for driverless and conductorless train operation.  Automatic train control, radio transmission and 31 electronic interlockings are also being installed.

OCC and power supply systems
Siemens is also fitting out the operations control center for both lines, from where the routes will be directed and monitored. The contract also covers training in the use of the new technology.

Siemens is also responsible for the lines’ power supply systems. The electrical energy generated by the trains when the brakes are applied will be fed back into the metro system’s power supply and thus made available for all other electrical loads. The electrical equipment will also include emergency power facilities with diesel generators and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).

 

Source: Siemens

 

Read more about Riyadh automated metro project contracts