Hitachi Rail has been contracted to integrate Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) with 5G communications technology on urban rail lines in New York and Hong Kong.
This innovation will enhance New York’s Crosstown Line and Hong Kong’s International Airport Automatic People Mover.
By using 5G for critical train-to-ground communications, Hitachi Rail aims to significantly improve performance while reducing both investment and lifecycle costs.
Hitachi Rail’s advanced SelTrac™ CBTC digital signalling system now incorporates 5G capabilities, marking a first in the industry.
The CBTC system allows for better traffic management and increased capacity, safety, and reliability compared to traditional signalling systems.
The integration of 5G technology further enhances these capabilities by replacing outdated communication systems like radio and Wi-Fi, providing faster, more reliable connections.
Using 5G also reduces the need for extensive trackside infrastructure, as fewer 5G radio access points are required compared to current Wi-Fi solutions. This not only cuts costs but also simplifies maintenance and installation efforts.
In addition, the added 5G bandwidth enables the use of advanced digital asset management solutions, allowing for real-time train data reporting and optimisation of operations and maintenance.
The deployment of 5G will also ensure reliable, high-performance connectivity in difficult environments, such as tunnels. This allows for uninterrupted operations and real-time monitoring, critical for maintaining service quality in urban rail systems.
What’s more, Hitachi Rail’s use of 5G positions operators to take advantage of future innovations, such as the anticipated rollout of 6G technology, without needing to overhaul existing infrastructure.
The backward compatibility of 5G ensures long-term investment security, a crucial consideration given the 30-year lifecycle of radio access infrastructure.
“Our first-of-its-kind 5G solution is a game changer for the urban rail market. The new 5G system plays a critical role in delivering reliable and high-capacity CBTC operations to metro operators. We offer different deployment options that best suit the customers’ needs, as seen with our two references. We are proud to deliver this transformative technology to our customers and the benefits it will deliver to passengers.”
Hitachi Rail’s 5G-based CBTC solution will be deployed in two of the world’s busiest metro systems:
New York’s Crosstown Line: A private 5G network is being implemented on this line, which serves 70,000 passengers daily, enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency.
Hong Kong International Airport: A 5G overlay network is being introduced for the existing SelTrac™ system on the Automatic People Mover, marking one of the first uses of 5G in mission-critical signalling.
