Signalling systems are not seen or felt by commuters on mass transit railways – especially when the network runs mostly underground. A recent news in the New York Times reported that the signalling system of the city’s famous subway network – one of the oldest and largest in the world – will go through a massive round of modernisation. In the absence of a modern signalling system, New York’s subway operations have been plagued by delays and inconsistencies. The city’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority said “modernising the signals is the top priority for us at the moment”.
Signal systems are the hidden, unglamorous backbone of any mass transit system – enabling trains to move down the tracks safely and reliably. Last year, ASTRI successfully leveraged commercial-grade TD-LTE technologies to build a Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) system for the Metro Network in the Mainland city of Wuhan. This advanced signalling system has already been deployed at the Wuhan Metro Line 6, making it the first LTE-based subway signalling system in the country.
With ASTRI’s advanced communications technologies including TD-LTE small cell, core network/ Evolved Packet Core (EPC), and small cell management system, it can optimise the CBTC signalling system design for railways. The solution supports assured mobility in high speed and achieves low latency within 300ms round-trip-delay. Status and performance of the small cells can be monitored in real time. Compared to the conventional railway communication network systems, ASTRI’s CBTC greatly reduces signal interference and shortens the signal communication between the trains and control centre.
Most of New York’s subway system relies on antiquated technology, known as ‘block signalling’, to coordinate the movement of carriages. A modern CBTC system is more dependable and exact, making it possible to reduce the amount of space between trains. A computerised signal system like CBTC is also safer because trains can be stopped automatically in the event of an emergency. As New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans a signal upgrade, it could consider a state-of-the-art solution like the CBTC which enhances the safety, reliability and efficiency of subway operations, eases overcrowding, and minimises train delays.
Related News
ASTRI and Ecosystem Partners Join PT Expo China and MWC Shanghai Showcase the Award-Winning 5G Technologies
[Hong Kong, 2 June 2023] The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), together with ecosystem partners join two leading events of Communication Technology in June, including the 31st PT Expo China in Beijing from 4 - 6 June, and MWC Shanghai 2023 from 28 - 30 June, jointly showcase their 5G applied technologies and award-winning innovations at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions this year, with the theme of “Intelligent 5G, Beyond Connectivity”, also demonstrating the 5G technology enabling real-time robot arm control at PT Expo China for the first time ...
See More
ASTRI and Baidu Apollo Collaborate to Promote the Implementation of C-V2X Technology in Hong Kong
[Hong Kong, May 25, 2023] The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) and Baidu Apollo today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly promote the implementation of autonomous driving and C-V2X technology in more scenarios in Hong Kong, as well as to explore cooperation opportunities in building High-Definition Maps (HD Maps), further enhancing Hong Kong's smart mobility ecosystem ...
See More
LegCo Visits ASTRI Technovation Centre to Jointly Build Hong Kong into an International I&T Centre
[Hong Kong, May 15, 2023] The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) invited the Hon Andrew Leung, President of the Hong Kong Legislative Council (LegCo), and the LegCo delegation to attend the opening ceremony of ASTRI Technovation Centre (ATC) on May 12, aiming to discuss the potential of Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) sector and promote high-quality economic development with innovations, in order to build Hong Kong into an international smart city and I&T Centre ...
See More
ASTRI and Security Bureau Jointly Promote R&D Applications to Drive Disciplined Services Toward Intelligence
[Hong Kong, 4 May 2023] The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) invited Mr ...
See More
ASTRI Wins 34 Awards at Geneva Inventions Expo Local Female Engineer Received Special Award For AI Quality Inspection Platform
[Hong Kong, 1 May 2023] The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) garnered 34 R&D awards at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (Geneva Inventions Expo), the highest number of awards ASTRI has ever received at this event, consisting of a Special Award for Innovation - King Abdulaziz University, 2 Gold medals with the Congratulations of the Jury, 6 Gold medals, and 25 Silver and Bronze medals, is one of the most awarded organizations among Hong Kong delegations ...
See More