Siemens to build digital twin of Singapore train line
Siemens Mobility has been awarded a contract to design and build a digital twin of Singapore’s Downtown Line’s (DTL) signalling system
The simulation centre will enable in-depth and faster technical analysis surrounding signalling-related incidents, enhance testing of new signalling features and system functionalities before deployment as well as increase capabilities for training LTA and the operator’s technical staff.
迪泰是新加坡最长的火车线路,with 42km of track and 34 stations from Bukit Panjang in the north-west to Expo in the east carrying over 500,000 people a day. When its expansion is completed in 2024, it will be 44 kilometers long with an additional three stations. The test centre, based DTL’s operation control centre, will be ready by end of 2020 and will enable testing and integration of the DTL’s signalling system before these three new stations open.
DTL currently uses Siemens Mobility’s signalling system and automatic train operations. The test centre will be a digital twin of DTL’s signalling system, with capabilities to test key hardware interfaces. It will digitally simulate these operations to eliminate any risks of service disruptions during system enhancements, troubleshooting, vulnerability checks, system patching, as well as allow testing of new software releases prior to deployment. It will also allow hands-on trainings and thus boost operations and maintenance competency.
“Singapore is at the forefront of mass transit technology. By utilizing digitalization, LTA’s operations will see greater availability and reliability. Data analytics and preventive failure prediction that was previously done on the lines will now be done remotely and digitally, without impacting operations or passenger service”, said Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility.
Next: Plan for the digital twin
The test centre will include hardware similar to the rest of the system, including WESTRACE MKII interlocking, trackside TRAINGUARD Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) System and radio network equipment, the trainborne TRAINGUARD CBTC System and the RAIL9000 Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) System.
The test centre with the digital twin will be set up in two stages. The first will include ATS simulation environment and the second will include the full test environment: CBTC, interlocking, communications and trackside elements.
Siemens Mobility is also providing electrification for two other mass transit projects: Circle Line Stage 6 and North East Line extension. The company has a other digital lab in the city-state working on autonomous driving research with partner CETRAN.
