Siemens Mobility has been awarded two contracts to upgrade and modernise the rail network in Sydney, Australia.
Together, the contracts are worth 190 million AUD. The work Siemens Mobility will carry out will improve the capacity and efficiency of the network as well as the passenger experience. The New South Wales Government has broken down the works into two key packages. A new traffic management system (TMS) is to be introduced and the network will be upgraded from its conventional signalling technology to the digital ETCS Level two train control system.
The NSW Government is pursuing a wider Digital Systems Program under which it is seeking to replace legacy signalling and train control systems with modern, internationally recognised solutions. Siemens Mobility will have the systems ready for operation in 2023.
“Siemens Mobility is delighted to have been selected to deliver the services that will modernize and optimize the Sydney rail network. Our state-of-the-art traffic management and signalling technology will augment operations throughout the network by increasing service reliability and availability, which will enhance the passenger experience.
“This important project further underscores our leading position in the field for delivering automated signalling systems and expands our growing footprint in Australia.”
The train management system is to be integrated with the new ETCS technology. Once operational, 24 trains will be able to operate per hour during peak hours and even up to 30 trains per hour to allow the network to recover from any disruptions.
The other central contract element will include implementing automatic train operation (ATO). At the grade of automation that will be fitted, train drivers will remain in control but will receive assistance.
The TMS technology will monitor the location of all trains. This will be helpful for keeping train services running as planned and for providing assistance in responding to incidents. It will be operated from the Rail Operations Centre.
