Spreading Signalling Costs

Many existing train signaling systems are nearing the end of their design lives and soon will need replacement. This article highlights a study that investigated the total costs of new signaling systems and how the cost can be reduced without compromising safety or network capacity. The study examined four similar commuter railways in North America, Europe and Australasia to assess the total cost of ownership (TCO) of signaling, and to develop a model that can be applied to comparable railways around the world. The study showed the average cost per kilometer to upgrade the signaling on a 30km electrified commuter route with last generation signaling was £1.4m. This figure remained constant even though there were significant differences in operations and regulation between the railways studied. Sixty percent of the TCO for a signaling system occurs in the first year, with design, equipment acquisition, construction and commissioning accounting for most of the costs. After the first year, the remaining costs are largely related to operation, maintenance and power consumption of the equipment. Railroads can reduce the TCO of new signaling systems if they adopt some of the measures employed by the railways involved in the study. A modular approach, which uses multiple standard signaling modules, allows components to be fully tested before site delivery. Equipping engineers with handheld computers test lineside equipment can also save money. Installing and commissioning signaling equipment should become simpler and less expensive in the future as European Rail Traffic Management System becomes a global standard. Reducing the cost of maintenance is also critical. Modern signaling equipment can be adapted to report the condition of components to a control center, alerting maintenance staff to impending failures. Better liaison with maintenance teams by management can also inspire front-line engineers to share best practices across the entire network. A partnership approach with signaling provider, including the use of long-term performance-based contracts and having the supplier undertake equipment maintenance, can help spread costs more evenly over the lifecycle of the signaling system.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/49957551
• Authors:
  • Holt, Stephen
• Publication Date: 2011-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 22-23
• Serial:
  • Rail Professional
  • Issue Number: 169
  • Publisher: Cambridge Publishers Limited
  • ISSN: 1476-2196
  • Serial URL: http://www.cpl.biz/ourwork/general/rp.htm

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cost control; Cost estimating; Costs; Equipment maintenance; Equipment replacement; Life cycle costing; Railroad signals; Signal devices
• Geographic Terms: Australasia; Europe; North America
• Subject Areas: Economics; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01350564
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 29 2011 7:43AM