SIGNAL + DRAHT (104) 10/2012 50 n Kurzberichte | Newsflash ■ Development of prototype traffic management systems Network Rail has awarded three contracts for the development of prototype traffic management systems. National deployment is an integral part of the infrastructure manager‘s strategy of consolidating control of the rail network from more than 800 signalboxes to 14 control centres over the next 30 years. Contracts each worth around GBP 7m have been awarded to Hitachi Rail Europe, Thales UK and the Signalling Solutions joint venture of Alstom and Balfour Beatty, which will be assisted by Parsons Brinckerhoff. The companies are required to develop their prototype software by December 2013. This will enable Network Rail to conduct ‚vigorous‘ testing before making a decision on how to proceed; NR is currently anticipating awarding contracts to more than one supplier to reduce deployment risk. The ‚highly automated‘ system would enable larger areas of the rail network to be controlled from fewer locations, increasing capacity and improving reliability. It would include real-time planning functions able to predict and resolve conflicts, with a single information system providing real-time data to train operators and passengers. A working group of future users including signallers, control and train operating staff and trade union representatives is participating in the development of working methods. cm ■ High speed line signalling contract in South Korea Korea Rail Network Authority has awarded a consortium led by LSIS the signalling and train control contract for the first phase of the 300 km/h Honam high speed line. The 174 km section between Osong and Gwangju Songjeong is under construction for completion by December 2014. A 48 km extension to Mokpo is planned for 2017. Consortium member Ansaldo STS has a €40m share of the contract, and will design, supply and commission its SEI integrated train control system, with TVM cab signalling, interlockings and hot box detectors. The train control system will be an evolution of the TVM technology applied to the Gyeongbu high speed line between Seoul and Busan. The ATC and interlocking functions will be integrated to reduce the number of interfaces between the various subsystems, thereby increasing maintainability and reliability. cm ■ Iraqi Republic Railways commissions control system Computer-based train control and digital microwave radio communications networks were handed over to Iraqi Republic Railways during a ceremony at the operations control centre in Baghdad Central station on July 18. The ‘state-of-the-art’ system enables dispatchers to control movements throughout the IRR network. The computer-based train control element comprises computers installed on locomotives, a central dispatching office and a digital track database. The new radio network for voice and data communications comprises 33 microwave transmission towers installed between Umm Qasr in the south and Rabiya on the Syrian border. Commissioning has included training 18 drivers, dispatchers and others to operate the system. The project was sponsored by the US government to provide increased operational safety for ‚a critical part of the Iraqi transportation system‘, according to Brian McFeeters, US Embassy Acting Assistant Chief of Mission for Assistance Transition. cm ■ Level crossing barrier machine approved Invensys Rail has received Network Rail approval for its WESTeX S60 level crossing barrier machine, which uses a lightweight electro-mechanical design rather than traditional hydraulics. Various configurations are possible, with the machines being built and tested at the factory and delivered ready for rapid installation on screw pile or concrete foundations. The S60 uses less power than previous designs, reducing cable size and battery capacity requirements. Invensys Rail is installing 16 of the S60 machines as part of the Crewe – Shrewsbury modular signalling project. cm ■ Siemens enters Positive Train Control market Siemens has decided to enter the market for Positive Train Control equipment with a version of its Trainguard communications-based train control system. The Trainguard PTC equipment had successfully completed field trials at the Transportation Test Center in Pueblo. Developed by the Rail Automation business within its Infrastructure & Cities Sector, Siemens‘ Trainguard range is primarily focused at the ERTMS market, with Trainguard 200 and 100 providing ETCS Level 2 and Level 1 respectively. Marketed as Trainguard MT, the company‘s CBTC for metro applications has been selected for resignalling the København S-bane network. Trainguard PTC has been developed by Siemens USA in New York, where the company is installing CBTC on the subway network. It has been designed to meet the specific requirements of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which mandates the installation of PTC on designated routes by the end of 2015. As well as ‚precise‘ GPS train location, the system provides ATP functions such as overspeed protection and an automatic train stop to prevent trains from passing signals at danger. cm
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjY3NTk=