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 project will include the modernisation of the rail signalling, communications and train management systems 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.

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

Value
Total value of the signalling programme is estimated at R17-billion.

Siemens has been awarded the R1-billion contract for the Gauteng Phase 1 signalling programme and for Gauteng Phase 2 signalling programme valued at R2.762-billion.

The KwaZulu-Natal new signalling contract is estimated at R1.4-billion and has been awarded to Bombardier Africa Alliance.

The Thales-Maziya consortium has been awarded the R1.87-billion contract to supply a new signalling solution to the Western Cape.

Duration
The project is scheduled for completion in 2018.

Latest Developments
Radio communication and telemetry products provider and Altech Radio Holdings subsidiary Altech Alcom Matomo (AAM) has been awarded a R25-million, three-year contract to provide PRASA with tactical security communication services and equipment.

The contract forms part of PRASA’s ongoing interventions to ensure the safety and security of its employees and commuters and will include the supply of a comprehensive two-way radio solution for PRASA security personnel.

The agreement further provides for the supply of 18 dispatch positions with voice recording, 105 desktop radios, 188 mobile radios and 1 024 portable radios, which will operate using the Altech Fleetcall national radio network communication service.

Altech Radio Holdings MD Zubair Munshi said in a statement that reliable and secure tactical security communication systems were crucial for organisations such as PRASA.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Siemens South Africa (supply of rail signalling system – Gauteng), Thales-Maziya (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?
Not stated.

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.
Thales, Victoire Chartier, tel +33 1 57 77 90 22 or email victoire.chartier@thalesgroup.com.