Siemens Undertake Signalling Upgrade on Copenhagen S Bane
Siemens is currently undertaking the installation of a communications-based train control system on the whole 170km length of the Copenhagen commuter rail network, the Copenhagen S Bane. The project, which is divided into six phases, will run up to 84 trains an hour, transporting more than 100 million passengers every year. Phase one, a 25km stretch from Hillerod to Jaegersborg is now running services.
The S-Bahn currently transports approximately 350,000 people every day. Over the course of the next six years, Siemens will install its Trainguard MT train control system which uses Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC), to automate operation on the whole Copenhagen S Bane network.
Jochen Eickholt, CEO of the Siemens Mobility Division said:
“Replacing the existing signalling system – parts of which are more than 60 years old – will significantly increase capacity and reliability. The S-Bane will become a more attractive option for commuters and private transport will be reduced. At the same time, the state-of-the-art systems will cut energy consumption.”
The new system will reduce train headways to 90 seconds, down from 120 seconds on the network. It will initially operate in semi-automated mode, which will require driver involvement. Siemens will also fit their Trackguard Sicas ECC interlockings on board 135 S-Bane trains, in addition to their Controlguide OCS traffic monitoring and control system of interlockings and infrastructure.
