Victorian government to implement high capacity signalling on new rail line

The Victorian government, Australia has awarded CPB Contractors and Bombardier Transportation the contract to deliver the US$790 million (AU$1 billion) Rail Systems Alliance in Melbourne, which includes the roll-out of a 55 kilometre long high capacity signalling (HCS) and communications system. HCS allows trains to safely run closer together, meaning they can run more often. The technology will enable trains every two to three minutes, creating a ‘turn-up-and-go’ train network for Melbourne. The signalling
July 18, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The Victorian government, Australia has awarded CPB Contractors and 513 Bombardier Transportation the contract to deliver the US$790 million (AU$1 billion) Rail Systems Alliance in Melbourne, which includes the roll-out of a 55 kilometre long high capacity signalling (HCS) and communications system.


HCS allows trains to safely run closer together, meaning they can run more often. The technology will enable trains every two to three minutes, creating a ‘turn-up-and-go’ train network for Melbourne.

The signalling will operate the 65 new high-capacity trains currently being built in Victoria, which will run on the Sunbury to Cranbourne-Pakenham line via the Metro Tunnel. Dedicated control centres will be built in Dandenong and Sunshine to support the new technology. The centres will be staffed by experts who will monitor trains on the new Metro Tunnel line.

Additionally, expressions of Interest will open this week to deliver the final major works package of Metro Tunnel, the Rail Infrastructure Alliance.

The US$790 million (AU$1 billion) contract will be to design and construct the eastern tunnel entrance in South Yarra, the western tunnel entrance in Kensington and associated works across the Sunbury to Cranbourne-Pakenham corridor, including upgrading track power and conventional signalling.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Canadian JV to build next phase of Ontario BRT
    September 30, 2015
    Metrolinx and York Region Rapid Transit Corporation (YRRTC) today announced the award of a US$248 million contract to the EDCO joint venture to design, build and finance the next phase of the dedicated York Viva Bus Rapid Transit rapidways along the Highway 7 transit corridor Southern Ontario, Canada. This initiative is part of the York Viva BRT project which represents a US$1 billion transit investment from the Government of Ontario and is part of Metrolinx's 25-year Regional Transportation Plan for an
    Read More
  • Transport technology transforming bus stops in Los Angeles
    January 20, 2012
    David Crawford reports on a pioneering blend of transport technology and aesthetic By gaining a design award before installation has even started, the US$6.9 million City of Santa Monica (California)'s Big Blue Bus Shelter and Branding Package has ensured early interest among what it expects to be a new wave of transit riders. The American Institute of Architects' Los Angeles chapter's recently conferred 'Next LA Citation Award for Architecture', given for design excellence in projects as yet unbuilt, comm
    Read More
  • Broadband threat to GPS accuracy
    February 14, 2012
    A coalition of leading manufacturers, contractors and associations from various industries called the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) has sent an open letter to US Secretary for Transporation, Ray LaHood, expressing concerns over a major threat to GPS signal accuracy.
    Read More
  • Vision technology lifts blinkers from tunnel vision
    December 6, 2017
    Sony’s Jerome Avenel looks at how advances in imaging technology are helping improve safety. On the 24th March 1999, a Belgian truck transporting flour and margarine through the 11.6km Mont Blanc tunnel caught alight when a cigarette stub entered the engine induction snorkel, lighting the paper air filter. The fire left over 30 dead and many more injured. At the time, the Mont Blanc tunnel disaster was the world’s worst tunnel fire.
    Read More

Highlighted Content