Siemens Mobility’s Swift Delivery and Robust Solutions for the Saulsville-Pretoria West Corridor
As South Africa continues its journey towards a modernised and efficient passenger rail network, Siemens Mobility South Africa (SMO ZA) has once again proven to be a pivotal partner in this transformative endeavour. The latest achievement in rehabilitating the signalling system for the Saulsville-Pretoria West Corridor stands as a testament to SMO ZA’s extensive expertise, commitment, and innovative solutions.
Commissioned by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), the project aimed to restore the vandalised Trackguard SICAS S7 electronic interlocking system. Delivered on schedule, it highlights the benefits of advanced anti-vandalism measures and underscores the strategic importance of the SMO ZA -PRASA partnership for the future of rail infrastructure in Gauteng and beyond.
The rehabilitation project, which commenced on 2 August 2023, covered major stations on the west side of Pretoria, including Barracks Station, Mitchell Street Station, Cor Delfos, and Saulsville. The scope of work included the reinstatement of damaged Signal Equipment Rooms (SERs), the re-establishment of overhead fibre and power supply connections, and the integration of vandal-proofing measures. These measures are crucial for protecting PRASA’s infrastructure, ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of train movements along this vital corridor.
The Saulsville-Pretoria West Corridor is a critical artery in the regional rail network, serving thousands of commuters daily. Prior to the rehabilitation, trains travelling from Mabopane to Pretoria faced significant operational challenges. The functional colour light signals only extended up to Hercules; the signalling systems beyond Hercules station were heavily impacted by vandalism during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, resulting in PRASA reverting to manual authorisation, particularly in areas like Mitchell Street and the west side of Pretoria Station. This manual intervention created bottlenecks, significantly increasing headway, and impeding the overall efficiency of train movements.
“A key challenge that PRASA and Siemens Mobility had to collaboratively address was the pervasive issue of vandalism, which has wreaked havoc on PRASA’s rail infrastructure. I believe that together we have achieved this.”
Patrick Moodley, CEO of Siemens Mobility South Africa.
The rehabilitation project integrated comprehensive anti-vandalism measures to safeguard the newly restored equipment. These measures included the reinforcement of Signal Equipment Rooms (SERs), the installation of vandal-proof covers on cables, axle counters, and signals, and the deployment of advanced monitoring systems to detect and respond to potential threats in real-time.
These anti-vandalism strategies have proven to be highly effective, significantly reducing instances of theft and damage. The robust protection of the signalling equipment will ensure the continuous and reliable operation of the rail network, which is crucial for maintaining commuter confidence and service regularity.
SMO ZA successfully delivered the project on schedule, thanks to extensive investments in people, processes, and supply chains in South Africa, combined with its global expertise in similar projects. The reinstatement of the signalling system and automated train movements was completed in just 7 months. This swift completion was a result of meticulous planning, robust project management, and significant investment in local talent.
“We are immensely proud to have completed this project on schedule. This achievement underscores our commitment as Siemens Mobility to delivering solutions that enable safe, reliable rail transport to customers like PRASA. The successful reinstatement of the signalling system not only enhances operational efficiency by allowing for improved headway and integration into the new trains that PRASA will be using, but also restores commuter confidence, ensuring a safer, more reliable, and affordable journey for thousands of daily commuters”.
Patrick Moodley, CEO Siemens Mobility – South Africa