Digital interlocking signalling system goes live in Egyptian station

The Alstom-delivered computer-based interlocking signalling system Smartlock 400 has started commercial operations at Maghagha’s main railway station in Egypt.

The deployment was a part of works to equip the Beni Suef-Asyut line with the digital interlocking signalling system. At the end of last year, Abu Qurqas station on the line was equipped with the Smartlock 400 system.

In 2015, Alstom secured the contract to upgrade the signalling of the 240km-long Beni Suef-Asyut line, which uses electromechanical interlocking solution.

Alstom North and Central Africa managing director Raphael Bernardelli said: “We are very pleased to achieve this new project milestone, which will ensure higher system availability and greater safety.”

Smartlock 400 is the latest offering from Alstom’s Smartlock family. It is suitable for all railway topologies with a centralised or distributed architecture.

The technology is developed to offer reliability and operational functionality, as well as optimise safety.

Alstom has been operating in Egypt for more than 30 years. It has been associated with delivering a diverse range of solutions including rolling stock, infrastructure and services, as well as the Cairo metro system.

Last week, Alstom and Barletta Heavy Division secured an €80m contract to upgrade the signalling systems on the Red and Orange subway lines of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in the US.

It will replace the existing relay-based train controls with its integrated vital processor interlocking (iVPI) system, as well as deliver AFTC5 track circuits.