The Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore and SMRT are set to trial a new signalling system on the North-South Line (NSL) during an hour of passenger service. 

Part of LTA and SMRT’s ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the country’s ageing rail network, the system upgrade will involve modernisation of the NSL’s signalling from the existing fixed block system to new communications-based train control solution.

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With the new system in place, trains will be capable of running at closer intervals, which can improve peak-hour capacity by up to 20%.

SMRT North-South and East-West Lines (NSEWL) station operations director Siu Yow Wee said: “We have been working very closely with LTA to ensure minimum inconvenience to commuters during these trials.

“Station announcements will be made to keep commuters informed during the switchover, and station staff will also be on hand to provide assistance to commuters if necessary.”

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"The results will help LTA decide when to extend trials to longer service hours, and eventually the full switchover of the new signalling system."

LTA and SMRT have been testing the new signalling system since August last year to determine its robustness.

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During the process, test trains fitted with the new system and the alignment between train doors and platform screen doors corresponded with trains stopping at stations.

Engineers also ran test trains at interchange stations between the NSL and the East-West Line (EWL) to ensure a proper switchover.

Once the system is successfully run during engineering hours, it is planned to be trialled gradually during operational hours.

LTA re-signalling project director Tan Yih Long said: “We will progressively trial the new signalling system during the last hour of service from 28 March, and monitor its robustness and reliability every step of the way.

"The results will help LTA decide when to extend trials to longer service hours, and eventually the full switchover of the new signalling system."