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Singapore Rail Test Centre

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Singapore Rail Test Centre
Construction site of the Singapore Rail Test Centre, in May 2022
Construction site of the Singapore Rail Test Centre, in May 2022
Overview
LocaleTuas, Singapore
Transit typeRapid transit
Operation
Began operation2 November 2023; 13 months ago (2023-11-02) (partial completion)
2025; 1 year's time (2025) (fully completed)
Technical
System length11 km (6.8 mi)
Map of the facility

The Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC) is a railway testing facility in Tuas, Singapore. Constructed on the former site of the Raffles Country Club and opposite Tuas Depot, the 50 ha (120-acre) SRTC will be used to test new rolling stock and rail systems for the Singapore MRT network. It incorporates several green building features in its design and operation.

The entrance/exit of Singapore Rail Test Centre is accessible from both Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim as well as 2 Wrexham Road (Wrexham Road's short intersection is public access, it has a locked gate and the suspension bridge to the SAFTI Live Firing Area).

The SRTC was first announced as the Integrated Train Testing Centre on 24 April 2019, and construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony on 17 March 2021. The testing facility was expected to be completed in phases from 2022 to 2024; because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening of the first phase was delayed to November 2023. When fully operational in 2025, the SRTC will be the first such facility in Southeast Asia, featuring sophisticated workshops, an operations control centre, an administration building and three types of tracks for safety tests.

History

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The Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC), initially named Integrated Train Testing Centre (ITTC), was first announced by then Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on 24 April 2019. Hailing it as a "worthwhile investment" expected to cost a few hundred million dollars, Khaw said that the ITTC will allow "robust" testing of new railway systems without the need to close MRT lines. According to Khaw, such a facility would allow officials to develop deeper expertise in railway operations and maintenance.[1][2][3]

Contract 190 for the design and construction of the ITTC[4] was awarded to GS Engineering and Construction Corp (GS Engineering) on 17 April 2020 for S$639.5 million (US$468.8 million).[5][6][7] On 17 March 2021, construction of the ITTC began with a groundbreaking ceremony.[8][9][10] The testing centre is to be constructed in two phases. The first phase, which includes the high-speed track, was planned to be completed by the end of 2022, allowing Circle line Stage 6 trains to be tested in 2023. The ITTC was originally expected to be completed by the end of 2024, with the construction of two additional test tracks and other facilities.[11] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic at the time, the scheduled completion dates were pushed to 2023 and 2025, respectively.[12][13]

On 1 November 2022, the rolling stock test and research facility for the ITTC were 50% completed, with trackwork for the high-speed test track nearly completed. The other facilities, including the operations control centre and the administration building, are expected to be completed in 2023.[14] In 2023, the ITTC was renamed the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC).[15] The first phase of the SRTC was completed and opened on 2 November of that year.[16][17][18]

Description

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The SRTC is constructed on the former site of the Raffles Country Club in Tuas, which was originally acquired for the planned Kuala Lumpur–Singapore high-speed rail.[1][8] When completed, the SRTC will allow integrated systems testing for different trains and rail systems simultaneously, avoiding the need to conduct tests on operational lines.[19] The testing facility, designed by the Korea Railroad Research Institute,[7][20] will include an operations control centre, testing equipment and a rolling stock workshop.[5] The SRTC will have 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) of track, which will be compatible with various types of signalling systems and will be powered by both 750V direct-current third rail and 25kV alternate current overhead catenary.[11][14] The tracks will include:[5]

  • A looped 3 km (1.9-mile) endurance track with a 3% maximum gradient for performance testing.[11][14]
  • A looped 4.8 km (3.0-mile) S-curved performance and integration track for testing of train dynamics.[11][14]
  • A 3 km (1.9-mile) straight high-speed track with minimal curvature and gradient that enables speed testing of up to 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph).[11][14]
  • Stabling and maintenance tracks for any major refurbishment of existing trains.[5]

Intended to achieve the Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark Platinum certification, the SRTC will include energy-efficient features such as LED lights, solar panels and a centralised cooling system. The facility includes bicycle parking facilities and sheltered linkways between various buildings to promote walking and cycling within the facility.[11] As a shared testing and maintenance centre, the SRTC also aims for LTA engineers to collaborate with train operators and equipment manufacturers to improve rail capabilities in Singapore.[19]

References

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  1. ^ a b Tan, Christopher (24 April 2019). "New rail facility in Tuas aims to reduce MRT line testing closures". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Speech by Minister Khaw Boon Wan at the visit to SMRTs New North-South and East-West Line NSEWL Operations Control Centre OCC at Kim Chuan Depot". Ministry of Transport (MOT). 24 April 2019. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  3. ^ "News Room – News Releases – New Integrated Train Testing Centre for Greater Rail Reliability". Land Transport Authority (LTA). 24 April 2019. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Contract 190 – Land Transport Authority – Schedule of tenders received" (PDF). LTA. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d "LTA Awards Civil Contract to Construct Integrated Train Testing Centre". LTA. 17 April 2020. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  6. ^ Tan, Christopher (17 April 2020). "South Korean firm to build first MRT testing centre for $640m". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  7. ^ a b "GS E&C inks deal to build ITTC in Singapore by 2024". The Korea Times. 21 April 2020. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  8. ^ a b Yufeng, Kok (18 March 2021). "S'pore begins construction on $640m three-track train testing centre in Tuas". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  9. ^ Co, Cindy (17 March 2021). "MRT train testing facility to be fully operational by 2024". CNA. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Speech by Minister for Transport Mr Ong Ye Kung at Groundbreaking of the Integrated Train Testing Centre". MOT. 17 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "News Room – News Releases – Factsheet: Singapore's Integrated Train Testing Centre to be Fully Operational in 2024". LTA. 17 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Deepening Capabilities for Developing and Operating Train Testing Centres". LTA. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  13. ^ "$640m train testing centre delayed by a year, first phase to open in 2023". The Straits Times. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d e Smith, Kevin (1 November 2022). "Singapore's Integrated Train Testing Centre makes progress". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  15. ^ LTA Annual Report 2022/23 (PDF). Land Transport Authority. p. 19.
  16. ^ "Completion of First Phase of the Singapore Rail Test Centre". LTA. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  17. ^ Kok, Yufeng (2 November 2023). "High-speed MRT test track at $640m facility completed amid 'unprecedented' rail expansion". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Speech by Acting Minister For Transport Mr Chee Hong Tat on the Completion of the First Phase of the Singapore Rail Test Centre". Ministry of Transport (MOT). 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  19. ^ a b "5 reasons the SRTC is breaking barriers to rail reliability". LTA. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  20. ^ "상세 > 보도자료 > 뉴스·행사 > KRRI소식 >한국철도기술연구원". 한국철도기술연구원 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.


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