Hong Kong’s East Rail Line Extension Opens with Siemens Mobility Communications-Based Train Control Technology

Author photo: Sharada Prahladrao
BySharada Prahladrao
Category:
Project Success Story

The East Rail Line Cross-harbor Extension in Hong Kong successfully commenced passenger service on May 15, 2022, with Siemens Mobility’s Communications-Based Train Communications-Based Train ControlControl system (CBTC). This completes the automation of the 46 km long East Rail Line connecting the Chinese Mainland border to the central business areas on Hong Kong Island and becomes the fourth railway line crossing Victoria Harbor. The Siemens Mobility digitalized signaling system helps provide passengers with the ability to reach the commercial, convention and financial hubs in the Wan Chai North and Admiralty areas in a faster, safer, and more seamless way.

The opening of the East Rail Line Cross-harbor Extension is a significant milestone for public transportation in Hong Kong, which provides the people of Hong Kong with a fourth cross-harbor rail connection. Siemens Mobility’s state-of-the-art signaling solutions will increase the reliability, availability, and efficiency of the entire 46 km and 16 station East Rail Line. Already, more than 40 CBTC systems across the world have been successfully implemented. This important project further underscores the company’s leading position in the field of urban mobility.

Siemens Mobility equipped CBTC at 16 stations on the East Rail Line, while also modernizing and expanding the railway network by 6 km and three additional stations. The radio-based technology enables real-time data to be captured on vehicle position and speed conditions. This allows the East Rail Line to safely accommodate an increased number of vehicles on the line at a greater frequency. Additionally, the upgraded digitalized system provides the ability to continuously receive updates on system status which improves operational efficiency, resulting in fewer delays and more up-to-date travel information.

Along the East Rail Line and its Cross-harbor Extension, the Siemens Mobility solution Airlink has been installed for radio transmission, and automatic train supervision is realized through the operations control system. Electronic interlockings and Trainguard MT (TGMT) Wayside Control Units have been installed for efficient train control. Eventually, a total of 37 passenger trains and 22 locomotives will be equipped with Siemens TGMT On-Board Computer Units (OBCU). The new system is controlled and monitored by the Operations Control Center in Tsing Yi.

The Siemens Mobility CBTC solution Trainguard MT is the most extensively deployed automatic train control system in the world and is used by many operators, including Paris, Beijing, New York, London, and Copenhagen.

Engage with ARC Advisory Group

Representative End User Clients
Representative Automation Clients
Representative Software Clients