A developed metropolis must embrace efficient public transport as one of its constituents. People should always arrive on time when they have to reach such destinations daily while traveling. Additionally, concerning this, the city should develop a fast, convenient, interconnected, and cheap transport system which shall tie up the entire city. Mass Rapid Transit or MRT, is striving to link the lives of the dwellers of Singapore and ease their way of commuting. SMRT is a safe, reliable, affordable, and preferred means of public transport managed by SMRT Chairman Seah Moon Ming, and SMRT CEO Ngien Hoon Ping. In this article, we highlight how Singapore is ready to complete Southeast Asia’s 3km long rail testing track to change the facet of the public transportation system.
Working on a High-Speed Testing Site for SMRT
The first of three tracks has been completed at SRTC as Singapore moves towards establishing Southeast Asia’s first rail testing facility.
With a 3-km straight high-speed test track located in Tuas, MRT can test its trains at different speeds before commencing their operation on public service. There are presently two Circle Line Stage 6 trains testing on the track. Recently, the LTA concluded Phase One, which ended in the release of this information.
The system will have two more tracks – a 3 km long endurance loop track with an uphill section to test the capacity of rolling stock and a 2.8 km circuit for incorporating new trains or systems such as signals into the railway system.
Other constructions at the site include an operations control center, an administrative building, as well as maintenance and refurbishment workshops.
State-of-the-Art Testing Facility
According to LTA, the project started in 2021, with anticipation of completion in 2025. This will make the center self-reliant as far as overseas testing is concerned, allowing the line free for maintenance for hours. The statutory board said this facility is critical for the continued rehabilitation, improvement, and expansion of Singapore’s rail system.
A nearby approximately 50-hectare site will be set up to carry out tests and integrate new as well as reinstated trains and other core railway systems such as signaling, communication, and electricity as well as incorporated supervising control systems for all SMRT lines.
The center includes energy-efficient equipment in design and operations, for example, LED lighting, solar panels, and hybrid air conditioners.
Testing SMRT Trains in Singapore
Frequently, Singapore has to conduct tests for new trains and systems in facilities located abroad. Despite this, the equipment needs to be subjected to additional tests after they have been delivered in Singapore since it is impossible to recreate Singaporean conditions anywhere else abroad.
After completion, SRTC would allow the testing of railways with different gradients as well as curved sections similar to our local MRT lines.
At present, MRT trains and systems undergo testing on operational MRT lines at night, during the times when there is no service offered by the system. The testing, maintenance, and repair for these last few engineering hours are shared.
This will permit the carriage of train testing outside the mainline to decongest that short period of time and space and leave room for maintenance work within that duration. In addition, the testing could last throughout the day because the site is located away from residential neighborhoods.
Conclusion
With each passing day, SMRT is extending its network beyond destinations in Singapore. To earn further acceptance, SMRT is ready to complete its high-speed testing site to test the accuracy, safety, and performance of trains in Singapore.
Author’s Bio
Joey Sullen
Joey is an experienced writer with years of successful experience. He writes extensively about popular transportation systems and networks for the purpose of informing people across demographics.