SINGAPORE: Construction of Land Transport Authority’s Integrated Train Testing Centre was launched by Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung with a groundbreaking ceremony on March 17.
The ITTC will support the testing and commissioning of trains and railway systems for new and existing lines, allowing testing to be carried out around the clock without impacting on revenue services or maintenance activities.
The 50 ha site will have an endurance loop with a section of uphill gradient for train performance testing, a performance and integration loop with an S-shaped branch, and a straight track with minimal curvature and gradients for dynamic testing at higher speeds of up to 100 km/h.
The tracks will be equipped to replicate all types of signalling and communication systems used across the MRT network, and fitted with both third rail and overhead electrification. The centre will have a workshop for mid-life refurbishment, as well as troubleshooting capabilities to speed up the diagnosis and rectification of faults.
The ITTC is being designed to achieve the BCA’s Green Mark Platinum certification, with the use of LED lightings, solar panels, a centralised chiller system and walking and cycling encouraged within the compound.
The first phase including the fast test track is scheduled for completion by Q4 2022, in time to receive the new Circle Line 6 trains in early 2023. The ITTC will be fully operational by the end of 2024, with the completion of the two remaining test tracks, the administration building, control centre and workshops.
‘The main strategic reason’ for the facility was that it would build up local rail engineering capabilities, the minister explained, adding that it would ‘enable engineers from LTA, our public transport operators and original equipment manufacturers to work closely together on a common testing and maintenance platform.’
Ong Ye Kung noted that ‘Alstom and Thales have already set up engineering offices in Singapore, and we hope that the ITTC would encourage even more OEMs to do likewise. This will further anchor capabilities in Singapore, which would translate into timelier and more cost-effective support for our rail system.’
