6 Henderson Valley Road, Henderson, Auckland 0612
Private Bag 92250, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Ph 09 355 3553
Fax 09 355 3550
13 February 2017
Harriet Gale
[email address]
Dear Ms Gale
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA)
CAS-480701-R1P6N0
Thank you for contacting Auckland Transport (AT) on 05 January 2017 requesting the following information:
Has any advice/reports been prepared for AT or by AT about how to improve train travel times and
operational efficiencies of the EMU's, and if yes could I please be provided said reports?
Train Travel Time
Dating back to 2015, a joint venture was in place with both KiwiRail and Siemens. A key output of this, was to
deliver to the Auckland Network, improvements to both track and signalling.
AT’s involvement in this was as client/end user. The summary list of projects discussed and reviewed at this time,
includes:
#3a: Line Speed Increase NAL South (Westfield Junction to Newmarket)
#3b: Line Speed Increase OBL South (Westfield Junction to Newmarket)
#3c: Line Speed Increase NBL (Newmarket to Britomart)
#8: Sarawia St in-fill balise (Reduction in delays approaching 203 signal)
#9a: 304 Signal approach clearing removal (eliminates risk of Up EMUs stalling at Neutral section).
#9b: 204 Signal approach clearing removal (eliminate the need for trains to slow to 20/km).
The Line Speed increase projects listed above would require both signalling and changes to ETCS; whereas the
other projects listed would require signalling changes. Signalling changes would set up the signalling system for
faster line speeds. The line speed increases can me made either:
At the same time as the signalling changes, or;
At some later date, or;
In sections, to suit other requirements.
www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz
For the projects to increase line speed, it is intended to retain the option to carry out the signalling and ETCS
changes at separate times. This allows for other ETCS changes related to possible curve speed increases to be
carried out at the same time to reduce overall costs.
If the ETCS changes were to be delivered at the same time as the signalling interlocking changes there would be
a project management and commissioning cost saving but no significant design or testing saving.
This information identifies the recommended packaging of the signalling changes to provide the best value for AT
and KiwiRail in delivering the changes that have been identified to improve train performance from Onehunga to
Britomart.
Packaging a number of signalling interlocking changes together provides significant economies of scale.
Modelling has been completed by KiwiRail to establish the journey time savings for the NAL South, OBL East and
NBL that will be enabled by the line speed increases.
Other interlocking and ETCS changes may be required for the Western, Eastern and Southern Lines depending
on the extent of the track speed changes that are adopted. These will be addressed as separate packages of work
and will be the subject of later reports.
The net benefit in journey time savings if the ETCS is also changed to lift the speeds is estimated to be:
Southern Up Services ~70sec
Southern Down Services ~35sec
Onehunga Up Services ~65sec
Onehunga Down Services ~35sec
Western Up Services ~30sec
Western Down Services ~20sec
Eastern/Manukau services are not affected.
304 signal approach clearing removal (eliminate risk of Up EMUs stalling at neutral section) which will also provide
journey time savings per ETCS fitted train.
204 signal approach clearing removal (eliminate the need for trains to slow to 20km/h) which will provide journey
time savings per ETCS fitted train.
Parnell will provide signalling required for the new Parnell station stop. The station stop will tend to negate the
journey time savings provided, through the speed increase on the Newmarket Branch.
Modifying the level crossings to support higher speed operation will result in the level crossing alarms operating
for longer until the trains start running at the higher speed. The time between implementing the interlocking
changes and modifying the ETCS should be kept as short as possible
www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz
Signalling
ETCS
Signalling
Project Description
Benefit
ETCS Cost
Changes
Changes
Cost
#3a
Line Speed Increase Y
Y
Journey time.
NAL South (Westfield
10sec Up, 15sec Dn
junction to Newmarket)
#3b
Line Speed Increase Y
Y
Journey time.
OBL East (Penrose to
15sec Both
Onehunga)
#3c
Line Speed Increase Y
Y
Journey time.
NBL
(Newmarket
to
20sec
Both.
But
Britomart)
addition of Parnell
stn will negate.
#8
Sarawia St in fill balise Y
Y
Journey time.
(reduce
delays
10sec
per
train
approaching 203 signal)
crossing to P1.
#9a
304
signal
approach Y
Eliminate stalling and
clearing
removal
disruption risk.
(eliminate risk of Up
EMUs stalling at neutral
section)
EMU Operational efficiencies
CAF have recently undertaken timed tests in the depot for different opening and closing options – for the time from
wheel stop till power is back onto the traction motors.
It can be achieved in 20 seconds, plus the actual door open time depending on the open and close method. A
modification has been implemented that has further reduced the time required to make the traction loop by 2
seconds – which is a good improvement to bank.
We trust the information has addressed the matters raised however, should you believe that we have not
responded appropriately to your request, you have the right in accordance with section 27(3) of the LGOIMA to
make a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman to seek an investigation and review in regard to this matter.
If you have any further queries please contact Auckland Transport on 09 355 3553 quoting Official Information
request number CAS-480701-R1P6N0.
Yours sincerely
Brendon Main
Group Manager AT Metro Operation
www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz
