Metro and urban rail systems, technology and integration
An incredibly dense urban environment above and below ground means planning, designing, constructing and operating an urban rail system presents many challenges.
We help ensure the vision for any new railway or rail enhancement can be technically achieved to enable safe, reliable and efficient railway operations. As technical advisors, we help clients to undertake a forensic assessment of the entire rail system – from track, power, communications, signalling and control to rolling stock and the full spectrum of technologies available for any rail system. We then work through the entire rail lifecycle to identify and set the systemwide requirements, develop a feasible concept of operations, design tender and procurement requirements, develop systems assurance and integration processes and lead the testing and commissioning phase to bring new services into entry.
In addition, we support our clients’ digitisation programme. From renewable energy technologies to smart infrastructure powered by sensor-technologies and big data, we help rail clients to make sense of the rapidly evolving possibilities. From here, we can help identify the right investment decision, strategy and implementation plan to generate the greatest whole-life return that’s right for your unique circumstances.
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is a major, multi-billion-pound programme of railway improvements which will bring better journeys to passengers travelling across the Pennines in Northern England.
Our digital signalling team has developed the Rail Signalling Visualisation Tool (RSVT) using survey data, design information and the rail operators’ technical requirements, to build a 3D model of the 70-mile line. By accurately simulating both the system behaviour and the outside world virtually, the tool enabled design engineers, railway owners and operators to visualise how the driver will respond to the proposed railway signalling system, helping them to make crucial decisions around safety and performance and ultimately improving signalling design and operational safety.
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Learn more about how our services can support your project:
Projects
Explore more rail projects:
Supporting Network Rail’s transformation to meet the challenges of climate change
Weather resilience and drainage asset management transformation, UK
Designing Sydney’s first integrated station development
Sydney Metro Martin Place integrated station development, Australia
Rolling stock procurement for vital new east-west rail line
East West Rail Engineering Partner, UK
Developing a low carbon train specification for ScotRail
ScotRail new train procurement, UK
Commuter and mainline rail
Across the world, Arup has been at the forefront of urban transit for more than 40 years, working with clients to unlock the transformative potential rail systems offer. Our international team helps clients to take projects from initial vision to operational reality, whether a completely new urban rail project or a major extension of an existing network.