Skip to main content

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.

Related Content

  • Kapsch CarrierCom implements radio network for Rio De Janeiro metro line
    August 5, 2016
    Kapsch CarrierCom has provided the TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) communications infrastructure for Line 4 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which began operating on 1 August, in time for the 2016 Olympic Games. TETRA offers voice and data connectivity that is dedicated, secure and highly reliable, ensuring optimal network performance. It facilitates communication for the operator, transmits relevant operational data, and makes a key contribution to an increasing passenger safety and efficiency. The compa
  • Re-timing traffic signals delivers cost benefits
    June 28, 2012
    Nashville's signal optimisation programme produced a stunning return on investment. Are those results exceptional? Could similar results be replicated in cities across the US and indeed the world? ITS International spoke to Chris Rhodes, P.E. of Kimley-Horn and Associates, project leader for the Nashville signal optimisation programme. "You have to bear in mind that with signal optimisation programmes you don't see, for instance, physical construction or new pieces of equipment on the roadside that someone
  • Indra implements smart tunnel technology
    July 20, 2015
    Texeira Duarte has awarded Indra a contract for the design, installation and commissioning of intelligent traffic systems (ITS), control and communications for the Marao tunnel, currently under construction and which, spanning close to 6 km, is said to be the longest in Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula. In addition, Indra will also implement its tunnel control technology for the tunnel of the Mashhad Metro Line 2 in Iran. The global value of these contracts for Indra is more than US$8 million Indra
  • Receiving real time passenger information in Finland
    February 3, 2012
    David Crawford sees lively prospects for Finnish innovation