Huge rail signalling upgrade in Gauteng

The €180 million railway signalling project will control railway traffic and allowing an increase in the number of passengers that are safely transported every day by rail in Gauteng.

"Upgrading of the existing rail infrastructure will increase capacity and ensure more flexibility, greater safety and fewer train delays," said Lucky Montana, the group CEO of PRASA.

"This modern signalling infrastructure will underpin the safe movements of trains in Gauteng. The need for more effective train control is as important as the number, speed, mass and length of the trains in Gauteng increase."

The first of its kind

The overhaul by Siemens of Gauteng's rail system is the first of its kind for South Africa. The project involves the replacement of outdated technology - some dating back to the 1930s - with modern electronic systems. It will be implemented with minimum impact to current rail operations.

The rail improvement programme in Gauteng began in 2011 when Siemens was first commissioned to upgrade a quarter of Gauteng's signalling system and to build a state-of-the-art centrally-controlled operations centre: the Gauteng Nerve Centre.

PRASA has now called for the modernisation of the remaining three-quarters of the rail signalling network.

"Completion of the rail signalling project will see the Gauteng railway network aligned with modern urban rail networks across the world," said Lucio Lefebvre, senior project manager of Siemens South Africa.

Key features of the upgrade include the introduction of electronic interlocking systems, the upgrade and/or building of new relay rooms, a brand new train detection system, overhead and track changes, and implementation of a custom-designed train control operating system across the entire Gauteng network.

Lefebvre said that the Gauteng Nerve Centre (GNC) is a core component of the project. The building that houses the GNC will be completed in 2015 when train controls will start being transferred to the new facility. "It will enable greater efficiencies in rail operations and train safety, while offering a more frequent service through higher line capacity."

The new telecoms network will be implemented on the existing fibre backbone.

Command room

A main feature of the GNC is the command room housing a 52 metre-wide video wall that shows the movement of trains and all activity across the entire Gauteng rail network. A fully integrated monitoring system will pick up faults and any tampering with the network.

"The new system is vandal resistant and rigorous measures against theft and sabotage have been incorporated into the full network design," said Lefebvre. "The whole project is underpinned by stringent testing and safety processes."

Local production accounts for 60% of the project, with much of the engineering, manufacturing and testing due to take place in the Siemens South Africa factory in North Riding, Joburg. Siemens employs 130 people in its South African rail team.

Kevin Pillay said: "It is a testimony to Siemens' engineering excellence and proven track record in urban infrastructure development that we will now continue the next phase of this crucial rail project for the Gauteng province, which is the economic hub of South Africa and a major gateway into Africa.

"Siemens welcomes the long-term planning approach that PRASA has taken, which will see people and visitors to Gauteng enjoying a world class rail system."

"PRASA will spend almost R7 billion over the next three years to upgrade the signalling system while preparing for the arrival of the modern commuter trains, which are expected to hit the tracks in 2015," said Montana.

Covering an area of 18 000 square kilometres, Gauteng is the smallest but most densely populated province in South Africa. It is responsible for generating around 10% of Africa's total GDP. With around 25 000km of track, South Africa's railway network is the largest in Africa and the tenth largest in the world.

There will be nothing left of the old signalling system once the upgrade is completed.