BMRCL Invites UTO Consultancy Bids for Bangalore Metro’s Line-3
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) on Wednesday invited bids from engineering design firms to provide consultancy services in its quest to run unattended train operations (UTO) using 90 CRRC coaches (15 x 6) for Bangalore Metro’s 19.143 km Yellow Line (Line-3 / Reach 5) which’ll connect RV Road – Silkboard – Electronic City – Bommansandra.
Through this 30 month contract of the 73.92 km Bangalore Metro Phase 2 project, the BMRCL is hoping to receive assistance with reviewing, validating, testing and commissioning all subsystems to facilitate fully automated “driverless” operations in the future, something which Line-3’s rolling stock (awarded to CRRC), CBTC signalling & train control (Siemens is lowest bidder) and other subsystems will be compatible of doing so.
Contract: 1RS-C
Scope: Consultancy services for UTO interface validation between various systems during Design as well as commissioning phases with regard to implementation of UTO operation in Reach-5 of Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase-2 network.
- Sale Start: 01/06/2020
- Sale End: 21/06/2020 23:59:59
- Period of Completion: 30 months
- Pre-bid Meeting: 01/07/2020 11:00:00
- Last Date to Submit: 15/07/2020 15:00:00
- Bids to be Opened: 15/07/2020 15:30:00
BMRCL in its tender document notes that the CRRC train-sets shall initially be operated in GoA2 (with a driver) and will progressively be operated on GoA4 (full automatic) when appropriate.
Reach-5 of BMRCL Phase-2 project is planned to be operated in Unattended Train Operation (UTO) mode in phased manner. However, BMRCL strives for a Safe and Reliable UTO metro operation during revenue service and therefore plans to commission its revenue service in stages from GoA2 to GoA4 over its operational timeline, deemed appropriate.
BMRCL intends to appoint an internationally reputed Consultancy firm with experience in UTO implementation in Metro project(s) for UTO interface validation between Rolling Stock, Signalling, Communications, Traction Power Supply, Depot, E&M, TVS, PSD, P-Way and Civil Works during Design as well as Commissioning phases of Reach-5 of BMRCL Phase 2 project.
Per BMRCL, here’s the brief scope of work for the consultant:
1) Consultant shall review Pre-final Design Documents of Rolling Stock and Signalling & Train Control Systems prepared by the respective Contractors, Detailed Interface Design (DID) documents such as Rolling Stock, Signalling & Train Control, Communications, Traction & Power Supply, Tunnel Ventilation, Depot, Permanent Way, Civil Works, Operations Control Centre, PSD etc. to the extent for UTO and suggest modifications which are necessary for implementation of UTO, in line with BMRCL tender documents, Metro Railways General Rules (for UTO) and other requirements of UTO.
2) Consultant shall review Interface Test Specifications and Test Procedures prepared by the Designated Contractors of various systems such as Rolling Stock, Signalling & Train Control, Communications, Traction & Power Supply, Tunnel Ventilation, Depot, Permanent Way, Civil Works, Operations Control Centre, PSD etc. and suggest modifications which are necessary for implementation of UTO.
3) Consultant shall assist BMRCL in resolving technical issues amongst the Designated Contractors for the purpose of implementation of UTO.
4) Consultant shall validate the interface design to ensure that required provisions ahve been made in the design stage to fulfil the statutory requirements specificed in Metro Railways General Rules pertaining to UTO operations and any other statutory requirements relevant to UTO.
5) Consultant shall witness and validate integrated testing and commissioning of the prototype train delivered under Rolling Stock Contract 4RS-DM with all other systems specifically related to UTO.
6) Consultant shall assist BMRCL in clarifying technical issues raised during the process of obtaining safety certifications, technical clearances, approvals, etc. from all statutory authorities such as Railway Board, CMRS, RDSO, ESA, etc. for revenue services in UTO mode.
7) Provision for visit of Expat and Indian Experts to BMRCL’s premises for design reviews, resolution of interface issues, technical clarifications, meetings, etc. as and when required during the execution of the Project to the following extent:
a) Expat Experts: 50 Man Days
b) Indian Experts: 60 Man Days
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) invited similar UTO consultancy service bids in August 2019 for automating services on its new Pink & Magenta lines. It received a single bid in January 2020 from SYSTRA – SYSTRA MVA Consulting (India) Pvt. Ltd. JV, and in early March, its tender committee after financial evaluation recommended awarding its contract.
For more updates, check out the Bangalore section of The Metro Rail Guy!
– TMRG
Do phase 1 trains have any level of automation? Or do they operate in GoA 1 mode?
They run on GoA2 (ATP+ATO)
Oh. So CBTC signalling isn’t required for GoA 2? Is it required for “door closure” and “operation in event of disruption”?
Yup, not required for GoA2. BMRCL’s fixed blocked (distance-to-go) signalling is good enough.
CBTC allow different levels of automation and is not a synonym for “driverless” operations. The technology is an enabler for GoA3/GoA4 automation. So yes for Q2.
Unrelated note – BMRCL has finally published the March newsletter.
Cool, will take a look!
In India which metro rail has working on GOA4 mode
None so far
Any Indian metro with GOA3 mode?
None operational so far. DMRC in August 2019 indicated it was going to begin testing GoA3 with a planned launch date of May 2020 for Pink/Magenta lines. No idea where this currently stands.
Hi, when is this line expected to be completed tentatively?
End-to-end, I’d say no sooner than 2023. Partial operations on Hosur Road could start in 2022. There hasn’t been an official announcement from BMRCL so far but I think in 2021 we’ll start hearing rumblings of their game plan.
Great progress has been made wherever the contractors have a clear right-of-way, but places like Jayadeva and Silkboard haven’t seen much action or were off to a late start.