Siemens installs intelligent signalling at busiest rail stations of South Africa
German technology company Siemens Mobility and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) have successfully installed a new signalling system at the country’ three busiest stations – Johannesburg Park Station, Braamfontein and Pretoria station. The project will improve the commuter service in Gauteng province, the smallest and the most populated region of South Africa.
The new system will increase operational capacity, allow the system more flexibility and reduce delays, improving overall operations for the transit system. “Since 2011, Siemens Mobility and PRASA have been working together to commission and install new signalling and control systems throughout the Gauteng region. The latest installations are in three of the country’s busiest stations and will help the transit operator improve passenger experience and guarantee availability,” said Michael Peter, Siemens Mobility CEO.
Re-signalling programme
PRASA is implementing a multi-billion rand programme for upgrading the signalling systems. Currently, 40 of 92 train stations located in Gauteng province have been equipped with new interlocking systems. The remaining stations have systems that already expired their life span and date as far back as the 1930s. Johannesburg Park and Braamfontein stations were installed and tested after intensive pretesting of soft- and hardware in the Interlocking Test Facility at Siemens Mobility in South Africa.
The new signalling systems will be monitored from the Siemens control centre called the Gauteng Nerve Center. It is worth to note that Johannesburg Park Station consists of 114 sets of points, 129 signals and 16 operational platforms, at Braamfontein station – 87 signals and 67 sets of points, at Pretoria station – 105 signals and 69 sets of points.
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