BOMBARDIER'S SUSTAINABLE AND EFFECTIVE AUTOMATED TRANSIT SYSTEM OPENS IN TAIPEI, TAIWAN

Unparalled system project in transit industry underscores Bombardier's expertise by supplying a system extension while upgrading the existing line

Taipei, June 29, 2009 –Bombardier Transportation announced today that it has completed the Neihu Line, an extension of the existing Muzha Line, in Taipei, Taiwan. This unique, large-scale project involved the design and supply of the 15-km Neihu Line and fleet of 202 vehicles, as well as the simultaneous retrofit of the Muzha Line. Ultimately, the new and existing vehicles, operating as married pairs, will run compatibly on both lines.

The official ceremony to mark the inauguration of the Neihu Line was hosted by Mayor Hao of Taipei City. Representing Bombardier Transportation, Mick Franzetta, Systems Division's Vice President, said: "The new Neihu Line extension is an essential component of the Department of Rapid Transit Systems" plan to ensure sustainable and effective transportation for the residents of Taipei City and the surrounding area. We are very proud of our contribution and are confident that the Neihu Line will provide a safe and reliable service to meet the growing demands of urbanziation in the region."

Under contract to Kung Sung Engineering Corporation (KSECO), the prime contractor, Bombardier Transportation was responsible for the design and supply of all of the electrical and mechanical (E&M) systems for the 12-station Neihu Line, as well as the trackwork conceptual design. The E&M supply included BOMBARDIER CITYFLO 650 automatic train control (ATC) technology, power supply and communications systems, platform screen doors, equipment for the new operations control centre (OCC) and workshop, and 202 rubber-tired vehicles.

The scope of work on the Muzha Line involved replacing the existing train control with Bombardier's CITYFLO 650 ATC, retrofitting the communications system in the existing 12 stations, and equipping a new OCC.

For the overall E&M project, Bombardier provided project management, systems engineering and integration, test and commissioning, and training for the operations staff of Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (TRTC). Tangeng Advanced Vehicle, a local Taiwanese company, performed the final assembly of 114 of the 202 vehicles in Taiwan. The complete 25-km system provides passengers with quick and easy connections to various commercial and residential areas, as well as entertainment facilities such as the famed Taipei Zoo and the new Convention Complex at Nangang Business Park.  The radio-based CITYFLO 650 automatic train control has been successfully deployed on complex transit systems such as Line 6 of the Metro de Madrid in Spain and on the BOMBARDIER INNOVIA automated people mover at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, USA.

BACKGROUNDER

BOMBARDIER CITYFLO 650 AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL

CITYFLO 650 technology is a radio-based automatic train control (ATC) system. Designed to be a stand-alone system, CITYFLO 650 ATC does not require the track circuits of traditional fixed block systems, nor an on-board operator. Since train-to-wayside communications is provided via two-way radio, CITYFLO 650 technology can be used as an overlay radio-based train control system to upgrade existing fixed block systems. This innovative feature allows transit authorities to increase the number of trains in service without compromising safety or incurring major refurbishment costs.

The CITYFLO 650 ATC is used in a broad range of transit applications – from fully automated rapid transit and people movers to light rail and metro systems. It also provides any combination of operating modes ranging from manual with cab signalling to full automatic operation without drivers.

CITYFLO 650 technology design features:

  • Fulfills the unique requirements of a communication-based system in a transit environment, such as:
    • Safety-verified automatic train control design
    • Reliable radio communications
    • Full operational redundant configuration
    • Industry standard interfaces
    • Robust design for transit environment
    • Distributed system architecture
    • Low life cycle costs
  • Uses checked redundancy with high reliability to maintain or improve safety compared to traditional train control equipment.
  • Eliminates wayside equipment due to its simple, reliable contactless train-to-wayside communications system.
  • Permits shorter, more consistent headways and improves system performance while offering passengers more convenient, reliable and safe service.

In Madrid, the CITYFLO 650 solution is already in operation on 25 communication-based train control (CBTC) equipped trains on Line 6 of the Madrid Metro, and has been put into limited operation on Line 1.