CBI member, Thales has announced that Shanghai’s Metro Line 5, which incorporates Thales signalling and train communications equipment, has gone into full line service.
Thales was brought on to the project to provide its state-of-the-art dual Communication Based Train Control architecture for the re-signalling of the existing Line 5 route, which was the first metro line in China to undergo renovation and construction while maintaining operations. Thales’ CBTC was deployed to enhance the reliability and stability of communication along the track while the work was carried out.
Thales, along with its Chinese joint venture partner TST, was responsible for the re-signalling of the existing line and providing the new signalling for the extension in the meanwhile. To ensure no interruption to normal service, all the re-signalling and commission was conducted in only a few hours during the interval of normal operation during the night. Both before and after the commissioning, a switchover was made between the old and new signalling system to ensure normal operation the next day. After over 500 days of working against the clock, and more than 1,000 switchovers, Shanghai Line 5 had a seamless cutover to the new signalling system with no disruption to normal service.
Jerome Bendell, vice-president, North Asia and CEO of Thales China said: “By re-signalling a busy metro line in Shanghai and equipping the new signalling systems on its extension at the same time, Thales has once again proven its outstanding capabilities to deliver the complex projects in urban rail modernisation through its JV. It demonstrates the great success of our strategy on localising R&D through the JV. [Thales] is committed to supporting the future of Chinese cities with their Fast Forward plan and contributing to their increased public transit capacity.”
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