Green CBTC algorithms achieve additional 8% energy savings on North-South, East-West lines

In efforts to attain net zero emissions by 2050, signalling system supplier Hitachi Rail and rail operator SMRT announced reaching the ‘Phase 1 Milestone’ for the Green Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) project deployed on the North-South, East-West lines (NSEWL).

Making the announcement on Nov 8 at the Singapore International Transport Congress & Exhibition (SITCE) 2024, Hitachi Rail and SMRT said the next-generation Green CBTC project has achieved an additional eight per cent energy savings for NSEWL trains.

Hitachi Rail and SMRT Trains Achieved Additional 8% Energy Savings on NSEWL with Green CBTC Next Gen

Hitachi Rail and SMRT said achieving an additional eight per cent energy savings for NSEWL trains through Green CBTC “marks a significant milestone in the collaborative efforts to enhance sustainable urban transportation.”

“Annual savings are more than 15 million kilowatt-hours, which is equivalent to the electricity consumption of about 3,000 households annually.”

Between 2017 and 2018, Hitachi Rail, previously Thales, deployed its SelTrac CBTC signalling system across the North-South Line (NSL) and East-West Line (EWL) as part of the re-signalling project, migrating from the legacy fixed-block system to a moving-block signalling system.

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As the signalling system is responsible for the automatic control of trains’ powering, coasting, and braking, Hitachi Rail applied Green CBTC features through software updates in the NSEWL network in 2023.

Coasting refers to the train travelling between stations with the electricity supply to its traction motors shut off and that the brakes are not applied.

Hitachi Rail and SMRT had earlier said it has developed smart algorithms on how a train is controlled, following optimised running curves to achieve the best energy-saving results with negligible impact on travel time.

“For instance, it uses coasting techniques in some predefined locations between the stations – which have been carefully identified to optimize its green features.”

“The topography of the lines and the train speed at different locations of the MRT lines are fully integrated in the software, maximising the use of train coasting mode and thus, saving energy.”

The Green CBTC technology leverages advanced data analytics capabilities within the SelTrac signalling system to optimize energy usage. This enables operators, such as SMRT, to achieve traction energy savings and contribute to environmental objectives.

With the traction power of trains accounting for 50 per cent of energy across SMRT’s train lines, Green CBTC reduces traction power by utilising data analytics, inherently “making passenger rides on the NSEWL greener”.

Hitachi Rail and SMRT said it will continue to focus on in-depth studies to further improve operational efficiency.

Related Links
Signalling System – SGTrains
North-South Line – SGTrains
East-West Line – SGTrains

External Links
Hitachi Rail and SMRT Trains Achieved Additional 8% Energy Savings on NSEWL with Green CBTC Next Gen – SMRT
Hitachi Rail and SMRT Trains Achieved Additional 8% Energy Savings on NSEWL with Green CBTC Next Gen – Hitachi Rail
Thales and SMRT Trains Partner on Next-Generation Rail Signalling Technologies for Greener Rides in Singapore – SMRT

Images: SGTrains.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.