Ineco will continue to offer its experience in railway signalling by working as a systems integrator for the British company, Network Rail Consulting (NRC) until mid-2024. The purpose of the contract is to support Transport for NSW, in the definition, integration and implementation of the network’s new rail systems, as a sub- contracted consultant to NRC together with the companies Acmena and Go- Ahead Group.

The contract is part of the Digital Systems Program, which aims to upgrade signalling to European Train Control Systems (ETCS) Level  2 which is part of the European ERTMS system for the rail operator and manager, Sydney Trains. This is a critical factor in enabling the network to significantly increase its capacity and absorb future demand. The installation of a rail traffic management system will also improve efficiency in incident response.

In December 2018, the NSW government announced an investment of more than $800 million in technology improvements in order to modernise parts of the Sydney Trains network, including the development of digital systems, to be brought into service gradually. The contract extension allows this work to be continued over the next few years.

The modernisation of the network will improve its capacity and efficiency, as well as the comfort of the users. In the image, a view of Sydney Harbor from one of the trains. / PHOTO_JUAN JOSÉ CALABUIG (INECO)

The purpose of the contract is to support Transport for NSW in the definition, implementation and integration of Digital Systems into the rail network. Digital Systems is part of TfNSW’s ‘More Trains, More Services’ program.

Railway signalling specialists

The main activities to be carried out by Ineco, once the requirements and system definition documents have been completed, are the supervision of the design of the systems developed by the different technology suppliers (trackside and on-board ETCS, traffic management system and fixed and mobile communications); the definition and development of operational standards; the definition and management of system integration tests; support in the entry into service; and technical advice. Once the first contracts (track and TMS) were awarded, the Digital Systems Program moved on to the Integrated Preliminary Design Phase (IPDP). Ineco experts in Sydney and Madrid are working with professionals and companies in different countries (Australia, Japan, Germany, Spain, UK, Switzerland, Belgium) under special circumstances, since personal meetings and travel have been restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The purpose of the contract is to support Transport for NSW in the definition, implementation and integration of Digital Systems into the rail network

Ineco is providing its experience in the definition of systems, monitoring, design and testing of the European rail traffic management system (ERTMS), on which it has been collaborating for many years at the highest level, both for its implementation in the Spanish high-speed network (AVE) and in the main corridors of the European continent.

The extension of the first contract in Australia consolidates Ineco’s position as a leading engineering company present in the five continents and demonstrates not only the client’s trust but also the excellent work carried out by our team.

As the systems integrator, Spanish public engineering firm Ineco will be in charge of supporting TfNSW, as subconsultant of Network Rail Consulting (NRC), in the development, integration and implementation of the new railway systems for the network, together with Acmena and Go-Ahead Group. This is a critical factor in enabling the network to significantly increase its capacity and absorb future demand.

The project, which will run through the end of 2020, is Ineco’s first contract in Australia, a country where large investments are being made in infrastructure and where Spanish companies are key players in the sector. Ineco’s extensive experience in the field of ERTMS both in Spain and in Europe where, among other things, it is collaborating at the highest levels of the European Commission to implement this system along the continent’s core corridors, was the key factor behind NRC’s selection of Ineco to carry out the project.

A map of Sydney’s commuter network, with the first two lines that are part of this initial phase of digitalisation highlighted in red. / IMAGE_TfNSW

Digital systems to modernise the network

In June 2018, the Government of New South Wales announced an investment of $880 million in technology improvements in order to modernise the Sydney Trains network, including the development of digital systems, to be delivered in phases and to be brought into service progressively over the coming years. The ultimate goal of this ambitious operation is to enable more frequent and reliable services to meet the needs of Sydney as a growing global city. Digital systems is part of the ‘More Trains, More Services’ program launched by TfNSW in June 2018, which aims to modernise Sydney’s rail network to increase safety, expand capacity and improve passenger experience.

Ineco’s experience with ERTMS in Europe –where it collaborates with the European Commission– is a key factor for this project

One of the most valuable lessons learned from the implementation of a state-of-the-art signalling system is that the entire process should not be solely about technology. The elimination of lateral signalling when migrating to ETCS level 2 represents a major change in operational rules. New skills and abilities must be incorporated in order to be able to develop in this technological environment, where new system functionalities require the definition of procedures and the adaptation of the human component in organisations, bringing in new roles and structures. A combination of efforts focused on people, processes and technology is therefore vital to the correct development of this ambitious digitalisation plan, with the human factor being perhaps one of the main focuses of attention in the preparatory work of planning and design.

Transport for New South Wales, located in south-east Australia, tendered the contract for the development and subsequent implementation of a new digital signalling system based on the European ETCS level 2 standard in 2018, as part of the programme for the digitalisation of its railway network. This component of the services is known as the system integrator and will initially address the digitalisation of two lines in the Sydney commuter network. The system integrator’s role is especially important, since it not only participates in the design of the solution to be implemented, but is also responsible for ensuring that the deployment of the new system is perfectly integrated into the existing railway network, in which different suppliers of signalling and control, rolling stock and communications coexist. The contract was awarded in late 2018 to the British company NRC, together with the Spanish public engineering company Ineco as well as Acmena (Australian engineering) and Go-Ahead (a British operator).

The combination of British, Australian and Spanish experience delivers a level of excellence that is essential to the successful integration of digital systems into this commuter rail network, operated by Sydney Trains, which requires upgraded signalling over a length of 815 kilometres.

The programme being carried out by NRC, together with Ineco, Acmena and Go-Ahead Group, is structured along three lines of action: the upgrading of the entire signalling network to ETCS level 2, the implementation of the ATO (Automatic Train Operation) system to assist train drivers, and lastly, the installation of a rail traffic management system (TMS) to increase efficiency in handling of incidents and improve service across the entire network. Ineco has participated in the project since its initial phase, which was developed over the course of 2019, with the systems integrator defining the system requirements, in terms of trackside and on-board signalling equipment, as well as the fixed and mobile communications, and the unified traffic management system (TMS).

Digital Systems is an ambitious digitalisation plan in which the combination of people, processes and technology is key, with an emphasis on the human factor in the design and planning phase

One of the keys throughout this process has been the collaboration among all the players involved, from the client TfNSW and the operators, including Sydney Trains, as well as the technology suppliers, who have worked as part of the project team under the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) model. This partnership framework is based on the concept that an early agreement is always beneficial for all parties involved.

It is important to note that for this phase of mutual collaboration to be a success, it must be carried out in accordance with high standards of probity that require the entire team to act transparently, responsibly and honestly, monitoring all communications and work meetings and severely penalising any deliberate action that involves preferential treatment towards any of the bidders. The participation of a specialised team on the part of the client has been especially important to this process, not only ensuring compliance with the aforementioned principles, but also providing especially important training and prevention work in the preparation of work protocols.

This ECI process began with a call for tenders from different industry suppliers and ended, in the first four months of 2019, with a short list of candidates who have shared their knowledge and experience in the initial stage of defining the requirements of the final solution to be implemented. The supplier contracts are expected to be awarded in the 2020, when the project team will begin working with them on a preliminary design that will precede the next phase of implementation and commissioning of the system, which is expected to begin the following year.

THE KEY ELEMENTS OF DIGITAL SYSTEM. The introduction of a state-of-the-art signalling system represents a paradigm shift in the operation of the system.

Integration tests will be carried out in a new technology centre prior to commissioning. This will make it possible to test the technology in a simulated environment, analysing different situations that could lead to critical incidents that would delay the subsequent commissioning phase. Another function of the centre will be to provide training to Sydney Trains staff in the maintenance and operation of the systems.

THE BENEFITS OF DIGITAL SYSTEMS. The transport strategy of the future is to implement digital systems that will allow for increased capacity across the entire rail network to meet demand and improve the passenger experience with more reliable services, shorter travel times, lower energy consumption and up-to-date, real-time information.

Challenging execution

Ineco’s team of 11 engineers and technicians specialised in signalling, railway system integration and communications are working alongside Sydney’s transport authorities to replace the existing signalling on their network with more up-to-date digital systems, all managed from a new, modern railway control system. This is an ambitious programme with one clear goal: to make a qualitative leap towards a higher level of safety and operation in order to save on maintenance costs for track equipment and, in return, to be able to offer more and better services for both passengers and freight, which will make it possible to increase the capacity of one of the country’s densest and most extensive networks.

In 2012, Banedanmark launched its Signalling Programme (SP) that includes the renovation of the entire railway network in its territory. The commitment to technology, which will mean replacing all the existing equipment and systems, was approved by the Danish Parliament in 2009 and will involve an investment of around 2.5 billion Euros. With the introduction of this new signalling system, the Danish government expects to be able to increase the performance and quality of its rail operation and serve around 70 million passengers by 2030.

The signalling system to be installed is ERTMS level 2 in version 3.4.0 of Baseline 3. This is the European rail traffic management system promoted by the European Commission, which is being implemented on the nine core network corridors of the Union. Its objective is to establish a common language throughout the European railway network, a project that brings significant improvements in railway operation, allowing the internal and cross-border traffic of all trains with greater capacity, improved safety and lower costs. Since 2015, Ineco has been in charge of the supervision and monitoring of the ERTMS deployment plan on the European core network corridors until 2020 (see IT53, IT59).

196 test cases and two pilot lines

Spain has 2,150 kilometres of railway lines equipped with the ERTMS system, including 656 kilometres with level 2 ERTMS. Ineco and CEDEX’s extensive experience and technical knowledge of ERTMS has made it possible for Banedanmark to rely on the Spanish entities to develop the test specification of this system for the Danish track application.

In compliance with Banedanmark’s operational requirements, Ineco and CEDEX produced 196 generic test cases that test the ERTMS functions to be implemented in the lines. In addition, they have designed the operational scenarios for the two pilot lines (EDL EAST and EDL WEST) equipped by Alstom and Thales, respectively. These indicate the specific location in the infrastructure at which the developed test cases will be carried out. A test scenario is a sequence of test cases that reproduce a series of situations that a train could encounter on a journey along a line. They reproduce situations ranging from nominal conditions, such as a commercial traffic at maximum speed, to severely degraded situations that simulate the different failures that may occur in the equipment and its interfaces. These test cases and scenarios are applicable for both on-site and laboratory tests.

Ineco has developed close to 200 test cases for the ERTMS Level 2 application that is going to be deployed in the railway network in Denmark between 2018 and 2023

During the month of July, Ineco carried out a first test campaign in the JTL laboratory (Joint Test Laboratory) created by Banedanmark as part of its renewal programme. This laboratory has both simulated and real equipment (RBC, on-board equipment, GSMR and GPRS connection, signalling control point, control centre interface and even a level-crossing). In terms of software, the same versions installed on the track are installed in the laboratory, so many of the functional tests can be performed more comfortably.

Laboratory tests provide a number of advantages over field testing. On one hand they do not have to interrupt the existing commercial traffic, they do not require real trains, and involve fewer personnel. All of these factors reduce campaign times, and consequently the cost, of the test phase within the processes to commission infrastructure or trains on a specific infrastructure. Consequently, the objective is to replace as many field tests as possible with laboratory tests, reducing field tests to a minimum. In this sense, the test campaign carried out by Ineco allowed the verification of the real possibilities that the laboratory can provide to reproduce the different situations that may occur in the normal operation of the trains on the track.

The current support contract for the Danish railway signalling programme includes other activities such as developing validation infrastructure strategies for the upcoming lines to be put into operation. This is the definition of the subset of test cases to be performed, depending on whether or not it is a new type of train to be put into operation on an already operational track, or if, on the contrary, it is the same type of train that will run on a new track but one that is designed with the same principles as an infrastructure that is already in operation.

Banedanmark intends to upgrade its infrastructure from the current ERTMS version 3.4.0 to 3.6.0 which is already available in European specifications. Ineco will also support the update of the test specifications to this new version.