The Thales Group has garnered recognition in the 2024 Railway Technology Excellence Awards for its strategic business expansion, particularly in the realm of rail signalling.
The Railway Technology Excellence Awards celebrate the greatest achievements and innovations in the railway industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies that are driving change in the industry.
Thales has been awarded for excellence in Business Expansion due to the pioneering efforts of its Ground Transportation Business Unit, which is now part of Hitachi Rail, in digitalizing Singapore’s oldest MRT depots, showcasing an exceptional ability to manage complex technological upgrades without disrupting daily operations. The company’s success in fostering long-term partnerships with key stakeholders like LTA and SMRT has further solidified its reputation for reliable and collaborative project delivery in the railway industry.
Digitalization of Singapore’s rail depots: A leap forward by Thales (now Hitachi Rail)
Thales’ (now Hitachi Rail) contract with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to digitalize the signalling equipment for the North-South and East-West Lines (NSEWL) represents a significant technological leap for Singapore’s MRT system. The NSEWL, extending over 100km with 62 stations, are the most heavily utilized lines in the MRT network, and their depots at Bishan and Ulu Pandan are pivotal for the system’s operations. These depots, completed in 1986 and 1988 respectively, are due for an upgrade to meet the demands of a modern, efficient, and safe rail system.
The introduction of Thales’ (now Hitachi Rail) SelTrac™ interlocking solution is set to revolutionize how these depots operate. The technology promises to streamline depot operations, allowing for more efficient train movement and scheduling, which is crucial for a network that sees trains moving round the clock. The digitalization effort is a complex undertaking, requiring the works to be carried out without impacting the daily operations that support 1.4 million passenger journeys each day. Thales’ (now Hitachi Rail) expertise in managing such intricate projects is a key reason for the award, demonstrating the company’s ability to deliver high-stakes projects with precision and without service interruption.
Reinforcing trust through long-term partnerships
The award also recognizes Thales’ (now Hitachi Rail) ability to build and maintain strong, long-term partnerships, a cornerstone of successful business expansion. The decade-long collaboration with SMRT on the re-signalling project laid the groundwork for the current digitalization initiative. This project was a transformative step for Singapore’s rail network, replacing the older fixed block signalling system with the CBTC technology, which allows for closer train spacing and thus higher capacity and efficiency.
The trust that has been cultivated over the years with LTA and SMRT is evident in the awarding of the new contract to Thales (now Hitachi Rail).
Company Profile
Thales is a leading global technology company with over 81,000 employees across five continents. The Group focuses on investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations, including Big Data, artificial intelligence, connectivity, cybersecurity, and quantum technology, to create a trusted future for all.
Contact Details
Meudon, Île-de-France
Phone: +33 (0) 1 57 77 80 00
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