[Trains] Press Releases
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Originally posted by Samuel Lee:
1 extra service train...... Today zaobao say NEL got 25 trains with 22 of them are used in daily operations. So, it is like wth, why cant have 3 extra trains, before the arrival of new trains.
Do note that as some train need to undergoes maintenance, in NEL case, not all 25 trains can be out for revenue service at any one time. If all the 25 trains are out for revenue service, how does the engineers perform maintenance?
Originally posted by Samuel Lee:I see, I thought that it is like upgrading a computer with "512MB RAM to say 1GB RAM" which is like whats the point and "why not change the motherboard etc such that the RAM can go more than 4GB".
Well, I think if I am not wrong, the LTA claim of 120s is saying near 120s and not = to 120s. And may I know how did you find out that our system is actually has an overhead of 150s?
On a side note, based on your attached image, does that mean that Japan train has a maximum frequency of 1 minute or even 30 seconds per train?
This is because our system resembles the old CS-ATC-4 system used in Japan and that system has a overhead of 150s. And if you noticed in the press release article above, it mentioned;
Originally posted by youyuan:LTA to upgrade train signalling system
LTA said by 2012, the North-South/East-West line capacity is expected to increase by about 15 per cent and with the modification, commuters would be able to enjoy a shorter waiting time of between two and three minutes.
The current waiting time during peak periods is 2.5 to 4.5 minutes.Even LTA says that the minimum waiting time currently is 2.5 minutes. If you do a math;
2.5 minutes = 2 minutes 30 seconds = 150 seconds
The shortest frequency I've seen in Japan is 14 seconds. Under this context, frequency is defined as the time elasped the moment front train has totally cleared the station/platform before the head of the train behind "touches" the "rear end" of the platform.
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New trains to ease crush
RELIEF from overcrowded trains will come no later than next May, when the first five of 22 new trains are added to the rail system.
They will cut waiting time by a minute on average for commuters using the North-South and East-West line during the peak period, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Thursday.
Elaborating on announcements made by the Prime Minister on Sunday, the LTA said more steps would be taken over the new few years to ease the situation, such as the upgrading of the signalling system and construction of new lines.
PM Lee Hsien Loong mentioned the initiatives at the National Day Rally when he addressed complaints by many that the large number of foreigners now living in Singapore were responsible for the overcrowding.
Mr Lee said that while the country needed foreigners to live and work here, the government was also mindful of citizens' concerns.
On transport, he assured commuters that the authorities were studying the rail crunch and would do everything possible to help it, but urged patience as modifications take time.
From ST
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Originally posted by E5:
Sorry to disappoint you but as of current, during peak of peak, train are running at 24tph. And theoretically, since our system has an overhead of 150s, the max we can go is 24tph.
So with the above data, we can say that "theoretically", we have already reached the theoretical maximum capacity of our system.
As for LTA claim of 120s, I don't know what figure this is and where it derives from.
Not possible, 50 seconds is just enough for the train to come to a complete stop and accelerate out of a ATP block. What about dwell time and "slack time"?
On a side note, as far as safety and frequency are concerned, Japan is at this stage; (Do note that in the picture, the train behind is still moving)
I am under the impression that the NSEWLs uses Westinghouse ATP,which has the capability to run 37tph, according to my sources. If I am correct, most likely, what will happen is the installation of "more" ATP blocks, marked by these block boundary markers...
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Originally posted by E5:
Do note that as some train need to undergoes maintenance, in NEL case, not all 25 trains can be out for revenue service at any one time. If all the 25 trains are out for revenue service, how does the engineers perform maintenance?
This is because our system resembles the old CS-ATC-4 system used in Japan and that system has a overhead of 150s. And if you noticed in the press release article above, it mentioned;
Even LTA says that the minimum waiting time currently is 2.5 minutes. If you do a math;
2.5 minutes = 2 minutes 30 seconds = 150 seconds
The shortest frequency I've seen in Japan is 14 seconds. Under this context, frequency is defined as the time elasped the moment front train has totally cleared the station/platform before the head of the train behind "touches" the "rear end" of the platform.
Thanks for the clarification.
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400,000 commuters expected to be affected by train service disruption
SINGAPORE : About 400,000 commuters in Singapore are expected to be affected by the scheduled disruption of train services over two weekends, due to upgrading works.
The Jurong East Modification Project aims to boost passenger capacity by some 15 per cent.
And when completed in May next year, passengers on the North South Line and East West Line can look forward to a shorter waiting time.
The first service disruption took place on Saturday morning, with no services between Jurong East and Clementi stations till Monday.
It wasn't the usual route for those using the East West line.
Passengers travelling from Joo Koon station had to alight at Lakeside station, before boarding another train to Jurong East station.
Those continuing their journey to Clementi station and after had to take a free bridging shuttle service.
"I did not have any problem, I knew exactly where to go. And there are people helping me," said one commuter.
"It's quite inconvenient, because we have to turn, walk a lot of rounds, and then take the buses," said another commuter.
Some weren't happy that their journey took longer than usual.
"It's very far, very long, (and) very tiring," said a commuter.
"We want to go to City Hall. Instead of taking the East-West line, we are taking the North South line. It's a longer route and more time consuming," complained another commuter.
"We ask for the public's understanding and patience. We'll like to encourage the public to use the North South line and the existing MRT lines as much as possible. Currently public bus services are also available," said Chua Chong Kheng, Group Director (Thomson and Existing Lines), Land Transport Authority.
"And on the ground now, we have 400 over staff who are helping to manage the situation at the affected stations," he added.
Upgrading works began at about 1am on Saturday and are slated to be completed by 4am on Monday, before normal service resumes at about 5.45am.
In the first few days following the upgrading works, commuters may experience a slower train speed over the affected stretches, as the system is being fine-tuned to its full performance capacity.
The upgrading works have been described as a major and complex operation. It involves installing turnouts to connect new tracks to the existing ones at three locations. The turn outs will allow trains to move from one track to another.
The next service disruption will take place on the weekend of September 18 and 19, and will only affect passengers taking the North South line, as there will be no train services between Jurong East and Bukit Batok stations. - CNA /ls -
o.o Next time better don't take the shuttle bus from JUR liao..... :(
So much commuters. And yet the bus travelling on AYE still need 10min above then reach CLE...
Train: JUR-CLE 4min.... What is the %?
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No trains at these stations
TRAINS will not run between Jurong East and Clementi stations on Saturday and Sunday as modification work to the tracks is being carried out.
The $800 million project includes the laying of new tracks and building a new passenger platform.
This will allow for a quicker turnaround of trains at Jurong East interchange and increase capacity by 15 per cent.
Commuters affected by this weekend's station closures should be prepared for their travel times to be lengthened by up to 40 minutes.
A trip from Jurong East to Redhill for example will take 56 minutes compared to the normal 16 minutes.
Those travelling from Jurong East to Orchard will take 51 minutes compared to the usual 32 minutes. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the estimated 200,000 commuters affected can opt for a number of transport alternatives.
From ST
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Upgrading signalling system for trains to cost $1b, says SM Goh
SINGAPORE: It will cost the government S$1 billion to upgrade the train signalling system to increase capacity and reduce waiting time for commuters.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong revealed this at a dialogue session with more than 200 residents from the Marine Parade ward, which he takes care of.
The event is to gather feedback on the Prime Minister's National Day Rally.
SM Goh said Singapore today is grappling with the problems of success.
He said problems can be resolved rationally but noted that for every solution, there are consequences.
Citing overcrowding in trains, SM Goh said the problem is expected and can be addressed.
In this case, resources have to be put in place to upgrade the system.
The cost may not be passed down to commuters directly, but SM Goh pointed out that it has to be defrayed.
Similarly, there are consequences with measures introduced in the property sector.
SM Goh acknowledged the situation has resulted in many unhappy Singaporeans, and he sought to put things in perspective.
"Those who missed out, those who can't buy this, who can't upgrade and so on, so we are really feeling the unhappiness, question is was the policy good?
"Unhappiness, those who are happier, in total there's net happiness, there's no such thing called total happiness, don't believe in it. It's whether we create net happiness in all this," said SM Goh. - CNA/fa -
SMRT will be conducting track maintenance works at the following MRT track locations between 1 and 4.30am from 6th to 12th September 2010
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Confusion at 2 MRT stations
MANY commuters were caught offguard by the weekend's disruption of train services between Jurong East and Clementi MRT stations, made necessary by upgrading works at the Jurong East station.
This was despite efforts by SMRT and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in the last two weeks to alert them to it through fliers, notices and the media.
When The Straits Times visited the stations on Sunday, a good number of commuters, especially the elderly and foreigners, were confused about what to do when their train would go no further. Those headed east from Joo Koon were supposed to get off at Jurong East station and take a shuttle bus to Clementi station, from where a train would take them city-ward.
Likewise, those who were west-bound from Pasir Ris had to alight at Clementi and board a shuttle that would take them to the Jurong East station, from where trains ran to the last few stations on the East-West line.
The free shuttle bus rides were provided as a bridging service during modification works at Jurong East, which involved laying tracks and building a passenger platform to raise commuter capacity by 15 per cent.
At Jurong East station, half the commuters appeared clueless about their need to board the shuttle buses, which added up to 40 minutes to their travel time on the two
From ST
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Improving Signalling
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Construction of Downtown Line 1 rail network 60% completed
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Downtown Line One rail network is 60 per cent completed and excavation work at the Promenade Station in Marina Bay is 40 per cent completed.
Constructions works for the Downtown Line One rail network began in 2008 and is expected to complete in 2013.
Upon completion, the Promenade Station, which will serve commuters in the Marina Bay area, will be Singapore's deepest train station at about 15 storeys below ground.
The station will intersect with the existing Circle Line rail network and the complexity of the construction works have posed several engineering challenges.
Sim Wee Meng, group director, Rail, Land Transport Authority, said: "Promenade Station is going to be a interchange station with Promenade Circle Line station. [The location] where we are building part of the station wall is going to built below the current existing station subway so the height that pose to us is a very low height. In terms of that, we have to bring in special machinery."
A $10-million, 500-tonne Tunnel Boring Machine has been used to pave the way underground at a rate of six metres a day for the future Downtown Line route.
The Land Transport Authority has also put stringent measures in place that exceed legal requirements to ensure the safety of workers.
The lifting machines on the site are inspected on a half-yearly basis compared to the yearly inspections required by the law.
Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower & Health, said: "For this kind of work, where heavy equipment is used, workers are working in deep tunnels as well as deep underground; safety is most critical.
"Well we have learnt from past mistakes I observed and a lot of measures have been taken to ensure that the workers' safety is taken very, very seriously."
In 2004, an underground tunnel collapsed during the Circle Line's construction at Nicoll Highway, killing four people.
Some 50 delegates from across the region visited the Promenade station construction site on Tuesday.
They were here ahead of the inaugural Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Conference, which will begin on September 15.
The station is on track to be finished in 2013.
Work on Downtown Line 2 has also started while contracts for Downtown Line 3 are out on tender.
The rail network is scheduled to open in phases from 2013. - CNA/fa -
SMRT will be conducting track maintenance works at the following MRT track locations between 1 and 4.30am from 13th to 19th September 2010
http://www.smrt.com.sg/trains/documents/service_updates/Schedule_of_MRT_Track_Maintenance_Works_13to19Sep2010.pdf -
Deepest station on track
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_578384.html -
It sounded that the opposite platform from current Promenade will NOT be DTL (F***! No City Hall design?)
Well, maybe user Dragonaxe gets the last laugh, "LTA hates level crossing". But I still think there is a chance the other platform be used for branch line purpose, and elminating the need of alternate DBG and HBF bound trains in Marina Bay (You think 40 trains enough to cope this meh, you have to think DBG - HBF service as well).
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Originally posted by Samuel Lee:
It sounded that the opposite platform from current Promenade will NOT be DTL (F***! No City Hall design?)
Well, maybe user Dragonaxe gets the last laugh, "LTA hates level crossing". But I still think there is a chance the other platform be used for branch line purpose, and elminating the need of alternate DBG and HBF bound trains in Marina Bay (You think 40 trains enough to cope this meh, you have to think DBG - HBF service as well).
it seems the the DTL is bound to fail badly
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Originally posted by Samuel Lee:
It sounded that the opposite platform from current Promenade will NOT be DTL (F***! No City Hall design?)
Well, maybe user Dragonaxe gets the last laugh, "LTA hates level crossing". But I still think there is a chance the other platform be used for branch line purpose, and elminating the need of alternate DBG and HBF bound trains in Marina Bay (You think 40 trains enough to cope this meh, you have to think DBG - HBF service as well).
What I guess is that the opposite platform of the current Promenade station is for trains towards Marina Bay. And I guess it's alternate trains go to Dhoby Ghaut and Marina Bay, because I see that the cross-over, is like, a "cross-over", and only allows a train at a time. Or something, I guess.
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Originally posted by yellowflip999:
What I guess is that the opposite platform of the current Promenade station is for trains towards Marina Bay. And I guess it's alternate trains go to Dhoby Ghaut and Marina Bay, because I see that the cross-over, is like, a "cross-over", and only allows a train at a time. Or something, I guess.
Cross-over is like a "cross-over".
Define the term:
1) Cross-over
2) "Cross-over"
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Originally posted by Interception_7:
Cross-over is like a "cross-over".
Define the term:
1) Cross-over
2) "Cross-over"
As far as what I heard from Dragonaxe, there are gonna to build a new crossover from Bayfront - Esplanade / Esplanade - Bayfront without via Promenade and not the straight (The opposite platform from current CCL) + turn (From current CCL platform) style.
This is why he feels that there is high chance of alternating trains in Marina Bay to go Harbourfront and Dhoby Ghaut. (Hence, it has to be alternate trains from Dhoby Ghaut to Marina Bay and Dhoby Ghaut to Harbourfront)
But personally, I think that crossover is not gonna to do passenger service, because:
1: 40 trains is definitely not enough to meet the frequency of 3 mins ~ 5 mins (I think so). (In peak hours where SWT are involved, even this alternate trains comes one in 7 mins, I doubt there is enough of them to do SWT. Anyway, it should be enough if they "maintain" in this frequency, meaning every 7mins one train in platform, but with this alternating schedule, it becomes every 14mins a DBG or MRB bound train and one waits for 3 ~ 7 mins for another train in Promenade.)
2: For Marina Bay - Dhoby Ghaut, we have straight NSL trains. Like that how to decide should take NSL or CCL. (NSL should be faster still)
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Originally posted by Samuel Lee:
As far as what I heard from Dragonaxe, there are gonna to build a new crossover from Bayfront - Esplanade / Esplanade - Bayfront without via Promenade and not the straight (The opposite platform from current CCL) + turn (From current CCL platform) style.
This is why he feels that there is high chance of alternating trains in Marina Bay to go Harbourfront and Dhoby Ghaut. (Hence, it has to be alternate trains from Dhoby Ghaut to Marina Bay and Dhoby Ghaut to Harbourfront)
But personally, I think that crossover is not gonna to do passenger service, because:
1: 40 trains is definitely not enough to meet the frequency of 3 mins ~ 5 mins (I think so). (In peak hours where SWT are involved, even this alternate trains comes one in 7 mins, I doubt there is enough of them to do SWT. Anyway, it should be enough if they "maintain" in this frequency, meaning every 7mins one train in platform, but with this alternating schedule, it becomes every 14mins a DBG or MRB bound train and one waits for 3 ~ 7 mins for another train in Promenade.)
2: For Marina Bay - Dhoby Ghaut, we have straight NSL trains. Like that how to decide should take NSL or CCL. (NSL should be faster still)
You are not answering my question.
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Originally posted by Interception_7:
You are not answering my question.
Check dictionary.com
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Originally posted by Interception_7:
Cross-over is like a "cross-over".
Define the term:
1) Cross-over
2) "Cross-over"
That cross-over I was referring to is tracks intersecting with each other, without diverting to the other track. It's like an X or something.
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Originally posted by youyuan:
Improving Signalling
So now then they decide to use D-ATC and according to the article, it will only be fully operational by around 2016 for NSL.
Let's see, D-ATC is fully operational on Yamanote Line in 2005. So looking at this, we are about 10 years behind in terms of railway technology...
But nevertheless, choosing D-ATC as the new signalling system is an excellent choice.
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Originally posted by E5:
So now then they decide to use D-ATC and according to the article, it will only be fully operational by around 2016 for NSL.
Let's see, D-ATC is fully operational on Yamanote Line in 2005. So looking at this, we are about 10 years behind in terms of railway technology...
But nevertheless, choosing D-ATC as the new signalling system is an excellent choice.
What other upgrade options do they have then?
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LTA and SMRT to intensify publicity on weekend train disruption
SINGAPORE: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) are intensifying their publicity outreach in preparation for the train service disruption this weekend between Jurong East and Bukit Batok stations.
The section will not be in service due to works on the Jurong East Modification Project at Jurong East Station.
LTA officers had already made house-to-house visits to over 1,000 residents and 600 households in Jurong East.
Grassroots leaders will join LTA officers once again on Friday, September 17, to distribute flyers at Jurong East and Bukit Batok Stations.
This followed feedback that some commuters were not aware of the service disruption between Jurong East and Clementi stations two weekends ago despite the publicity.
This time round, LTA and SMRT said more prominent directional signs will be put up at strategic locations of the affected stations.
Staff will also be deployed onboard the trains as well to provide assistance to commuters and attend to their queries.
The queue formation for bus bridging services at Jurong East Station will be adjusted for smoother passenger flow and to facilitate faster boarding.
There will also be priority boarding for the elderly and the young.
The Jurong East Modification Project will improve train frequency for the North-South-East-West Line from the current six to eight minutes to 4.5 minutes over the weekend all day. - CNA/fa