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.

In extraordinary times like these, properly harnessing our potential is also yielding extraordinary results. With our vocation for innovation and the solid capacity to adapt that we have demonstrated since the very beginning, the current situation has allowed us to consolidate the strengths that set us apart, design new services that respond to emerging needs, and offer the best from our primary asset, the team that makes up Ineco. In short, we are moving forward, growing together.

The role and talent of Spanish engineering has meant that, for the first time in the more than 50 years of our history, we are now operating on all five continents. We have made our entry into Australia as part of the technical team that is promoting the modernisation of Sydney’s commuter network, drawing on Ineco’s extensive experience in the railway sector. In addition to this project, which is a symbolic milestone for all of us, Ineco was also awarded contracts with Rail Baltica and the works for Vilnius airport, both in Europe, the sustainability study for Dammam airport and the integral management of the plan for the Kuwait international airport expansion, in Asia, and the project recently signed in Costa Rica, on the American continent.

In Spain, we continue to focus our work on continuing to grow together with our clients and shareholders, contributing to the maintenance of essential services that seek to guarantee sustainable development, such as the services provided in Spain for Aena related to its carbon footprint and the fight against climate change,the work for ENAIRE, which for the first time successfully tested remote operation of SACTA, and the works and installations for Adif that will enable it to improve the quality of the service and advance in the efforts to bring high-speed rail to Extremadura.

In extraordinary times like these, properly harnessing our potential is also yielding extraordinary results

Ineco’s commitment to developing its talent has enabled it to continue to grow its position as a ground-breaking transport engineering and consultancy firm in the design of innovative and cutting-edge projects. One clear example of this is the international Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award given by Esri, a world leader in software for Geographic Information Systems, which recognises Ineco’s ground-breaking work in Spain using the BIM methodology in a GIS environment when designing a new stretch of highway. Accordingly, this edition includes an article on linear infrastructure projects in several countries where we are applying the BIM methodology. We also cover the Innova Award awarded to Ineco for the EOS project, a software product with unique features previously unavailable on the market.

Lastly, within the framework of our Agenda 2030 Plan, we highlight the importance of Ineco’s compliance programme, an example of our firm commitment to ethics that forms part of our Atenea Strategic Plan, guaranteeing respect for the law and trust amongst our stakeholders. Compliance is a culture that enables us to continue growing together to continuously improve our company, avoiding risks and producing legal security.

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.

Ineco will be participating in the modernisation of Sydney’s commuter rail network in Australia, operated by Sydney Trains. In its role as systems integrator, Ineco will be in charge of supporting Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) in the definition, integration and implementation of new railway systems for the network, together with Network Rail Consulting, Acmena and The Go-Ahead Group.

The programme consists of three lines of action: updating of the entire signalling network to ETCS level 2; implementation of the automatic train operation (ATO) driver assistance system; and installation of a railway traffic management system to improve the efficiency of service and handling of incidents throughout the entire network.