SIGNALLING & TELECOMS
A reliable and secure TETRA radio
infrastructure for the Tyne & Wear Metro Wolfgang Leindecker, vice president for public transport & machine networks at Kapsch CarrierCom, tells RTM about its work with Nexus to deploy a TETRA infrastructure – increasing the availability, security and efficiency of its train-to- control-centre communications.
In
the largest project of its type in the UK, Kapsch CarrierCom is building a next-
generation TETRA digital radio infrastructure for Nexus, the strategic public transport body for North East England. Nexus, which is headquartered in Newcastle, owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro – Great Britain’s most heavily used public transport system outside of London, which carries 37 million passengers a year.
This high profile, flagship project comes just two years after Kapsch CarrierCom set up its Public Transport Division, whose goal is to help operators improve the quality and efficiency of their mission-critical communications. To find out exactly what Kapsch CarrierCom is delivering for Nexus, why Nexus chose Kapsch CarrierCom to deliver the digital radio network, and what likely benefits there will be for Nexus and its passengers, we spoke to Wolfgang Leindecker, Kapsch CarrierCom’s vice president for public transport & machine networks, for his thoughts on the Kapsch and Nexus partnership.
Project background and goals
The project to upgrade Nexus’ communications network is part of a broader UK government modernisation initiative called ‘All change’, which has featured in RTM a number of times in recent years.
Leindecker explained: “The ‘All change’ programme is an 11-year project funded by the UK government to modernise the Tyne and Wear Metro system, which is now 34 years old. A total of £389m is being invested in new-look stations, 86 refurbished trains and the renewal
88 | rail technology magazine Aug/Sep 14
of ageing rail communications infrastructure – which is where this project comes in.”
Although the radio upgrade – which Nexus says will cost £6.4m – seems like one of the less glamorous parts of the All change programme, it’s the most important from a safety and security standpoint and is critical to the smooth running of the Nexus network, according to Leindecker.
“The new digital TETRA radio network will support quick, clear, reliable communications between train drivers and the control room, helping to ensure that trains run on time and increasing passenger safety.”
Gaining the trust of Nexus
To minimise project risk and ensure success, Nexus needed a dependable partner with the right networking skills and experience.
‘Fit for the 21st century’
Discussing the new contract, director of rail and infrastructure for Nexus, Raymond Johnstone, said: “The replacement of the cab radio system is a vital part of our £389m ‘Metro: all change’ modernisation programme.
“The new technology will provide the Metro drivers with a vastly improved, digital communications system which is fit for the 21st century.
“Replacing the radio system is perhaps a less glamorous part of our modernisation work, but it is probably one of the most important upgrades that we will make.”
Sharon Kelly, customer services and operations director at DBTW, which operates Metro on behalf of Nexus, added: “The new system is critical to the smooth running of Metro, allowing quick, clear and easy communication between our drivers and the control room. Investing in the very latest technology across the network ensures Metro remains one of the very best light rail systems in the world, which benefits both our customers and the region.”
“When we were introduced to Nexus through our local subsidiaries in the UK, they had never heard of Kapsch CarrierCom,” says Leindecker. “To make matters even more challenging, we were the only bidder from outside the UK, so we had to gain their trust and demonstrate that we had the most compelling proposition both from a technical perspective, but also in terms of our skills, experience and delivery capabilities.”
Several factors influenced Nexus’ decision to partner with Kapsch CarrierCom on this critical project. “Nexus was very impressed by the industry knowledge of our public transport experts, and we were also able to demonstrate our in-depth knowledge of TETRA digital radio and systems integration more broadly,” Leindecker explained. “We also offered Nexus state-of-the-art technology components, a cost-effective pricing model, and the ability to deliver the radio network as an end-to-
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