Bombardier strengthens presence in North American Rail Control sector

• Latest technology for New York commuter lines will increase passenger safety;
• Bombardier will bring its system integration experience to the project on sections of the two largest commuter lines in the USA;
• Technology will serve more than 160 million passengers per year;

Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation is boosting passenger safety in the New York City area. As the lead in a consortium with Siemens Rail Automation, Bombardier has won two significant signalling orders for the upgrade of train control systems for the MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and MTA Metro-North Railroad. The consortium will implement Positive Train Control (PTC) capability on sections of the LIRR and Metro-North.

The total LIRR contract for phase one delivery is valued at $105 million US (79 million euro) with Bombardier’s share valued at approximately $57 million US (43 million euro). If all phases and options are exercised, the total value to the consortium would be $218 million US (163 million euro) with Bombardier’s share valued at approximately $107 million US (80 million euro).

The total Metro-North contract for phase one delivery is valued at $86 million US (64 million euro) with Bombardier’s share valued at approximately $44 million US (33 million euro). If all phases and options are exercised, the total value to the consortium would be $210 million US (157 million euro) with Bombardier’s share valued at approximately $129 million US (96 million euro).

PTC automatically stops or slows a train before certain accidents could occur. In particular, the technology is designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, derailments caused by excessive speed, unauthorised incursions by trains onto sections of track where repairs are being made and movement of a train through a track switch in the wrong position.

Bombardier will lead the system integration, project management and design, as well as deliver the operational control centre sub-systems. In addition to the temporary speed restriction (TSR) and user interface (UIS) systems, communications systems and wayside transponders, Bombardier’s scope will also include the roadway worker protection system (RWPS), a key element of PTC. Siemens will deliver the onboard equipment as well as wayside interface units. The upgrade will be delivered on up to 700 miles (1,100 km) of track and 1,500 vehicles across the two railroads. The US Congress’ Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires railroads in the United States to install PTC on tracks that carry passengers or toxic-by-inhalation materials.

Peter Cedervall, President, Rail Control Solutions, Bombardier Transportation, said: “These orders further strengthen our commitment to the North American signalling market and reflect our successful long-term partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its rail agencies. Our experience in delivering the most advanced rail control solutions around the world, together with the focus of our United States-based team will ensure the successful delivery of the project.”

Bombardier’s Rail Control Solutions portfolio covers the whole range of BOMBARDIER CITYFLO mass transit solutions, from manual to fully automatic systems as well as communication-based systems. It also provides BOMBARDIER INTERFLO mainline solutions, from conventional systems to European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Level 3 systems. Bombardier solutions encompass a complete palette of wayside and onboard products.