Name and Location
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) rail signalling system project, South Africa.

Client
Prasa.

Project Description
Prasa plans to implement a new, technologically advanced rail signalling system on its commuter rail network to replace the old and often unreliable, system. The company reports that nearly 80% of its existing signalling installations have become obsolete and the remainder is not able to fully support modern and safe railway operations.

The existing railway signalling system is a mixture of technologies from the 1930s to the 1980s and, in Gauteng, it is dependent on manual intervention when transferring a train from one control centre to another.

The new system will enhance operational capacity and allow better flexibility, improve safety and reduce train delays and reliance on the human factor.

The introduction of the new system will be prioritised in high-volume corridors, such as Naledi, in Soweto, to Johannesburg; Pretoria to Johannesburg; Mabopane to Pretoria; Mamelodi to Pretoria; KwaMashu–Durban–Umlazi; Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and Philippi to Cape Town; Kraaifontein–Bellville–Cape Town and Simon’s Town to Cape Town.

Value
A value for the project has not been confirmed.

Duration
The project is scheduled for completion in 2015.

Latest Developments
The Bombardier Africa Alliance consortium has won a R1.1-billion contract to complete a conventional mainline resignalling project for Prasa in KwaZulu-Natal.

Bombardier Transportation is the lead member of the consortium, with its share of the contract valued at R318-million.

The consortium’s other members are ERB Technologies, Basil Read, Bakara Engineering, R&H Railway Consultants, SIMS and Tractionel.

The consortium will deliver the Bombardier Interflo 200 rail-control solution technology to Prasa, set for commissioning in 2017.

The new technology will be implemented at 42 stations and across 120 km of double track.

It will enable a 2.5-minute headway between trains, eliminating bottlenecks, while increasing safety and availability, says Bombardier.

The upgrade will also introduce the latest-generation, high-capacity Bombardier EBI Lock 950 computer-based interlocking Release 4 and EBI Screen 900 local central traffic control systems to the market and includes the replacement of all wayside equipment.

Associated telecommunications equipment (fibre-optic backbone and voice radio) is also planned, while the civil works include modifications to existing platforms, track and overhead equipment and new pedestrian bridges.

The project aims to create about 270 new jobs.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Siemens South Africa (supply of rail signalling system – Gauteng), Thales (supply of rail signalling system – Western Cape), Bombadier Africa Alliance, comprising Bombardier Transportation, ERB Technologies, Basil Read, Bakara Engineering, R&H Railway Consultants, SIMS and Tractionel (supply of rail signalling system – KwaZulu-Natal); and Huawei (digital radio communications system).

On Budget and on Time?
The project has just been announced.

Contact Details for Project Information
Prasa, tel +27 11 773 1600/1687/1595 or fax +27 11 774 6299; or head of communications Nana Zenani, cell +27 82 626 8844 or email nzenani@prasa.com.
Siemens Africa infrastructure and cities sector, Keshin Govender, tel +27 11 652 2146 or email sithembile.mokaeane@siemens.com; or Rolf Huber, tel +27 11 652 2000 or email rolf.huber@siemens.com.
Bombardier Transportation, Sandy Roth, tel +49 30 98607 1147.