Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert) announced that an advanced communications-based train control, or “CBTC,” system has been operating successfully for the Beijing metro line 4, providing passengers with a faster, safer and more convenient traveling experience.
The new signaling system was deployed at the end of September for Beijing MTR Corporation Ltd. by a consortium comprising Alcatel-Lucent, through its Chinese flagship company Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell,Thales ( News - Alert) Rail Signaling Solutions Inc, Beijing Hua-Tie Information Technology Development CO. and China Railway Telecommunication Signaling Jinan Construction Company.
The new CBTC system is now operating on the new 28.2 km-long mass transit line connecting 23 underground stations and one above-ground station from south to north Beijing.
With advanced services and technology from Alcatel-Lucent and Thales, the system ensured high performance of the critical new metro line that transported four million passengers from October 1st to 7th during the Chinese National Day holidays, TM Lee, deputy general manager of Beijing MTR Corporation Ltd., said.
Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell has done the network integration service and deployment of this multi-vendor solution. Thales' signaling SelTrac CBTC system provides fully automated central control and optimizes safe operation of trains with shorter headway. These features allow high capacity for service frequency and efficiency, as well as flexible fleet operations. Operating data is transmitted between train and track-side equipment via an open-standards radio and WLAN system. The new system has also been able to reduce life-cycle costs.
“Following our successful projects for mass transit in Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou, this new deployment, engineering service for the Beijing metro line 4 marks a new achievement,” Olivia Qiu, president of Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell and Alcatel-Lucent in East Asia, said.
“The successful operation of the new metro line further highlights our expertise in serving the urban rail industry and strengthens our positions in the transport market in China,” Qiu added.
