So who is responsible for securing the Gautrain project? From trains to carriages, carparks to bus transport, station platforms to stairwells, ticketing to lighting, tunnelling to emergency shafts, signal control, track control, fire prevention and crime prevention – the list is never ending.
The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link project is a Public Private Partnership Project between the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG), which plans and contributes financially to the development of the Gautrain, and Bombela Concessions Company (BCC). BCC undertakes full responsibility for the construction, operation and maintenance of the service – including the design and development of a safety and security plan with a set of minimum requirements laid down by the GPG. Below are some of the security systems that will be in place when the trains start running:
* Over 650 closed circuit television cameras on trains and station precincts.
* Visible policing by Gautrain security officers and the SAPS Transport Police.
* Automated ticketing allowing only valid ticket holders to enter station precincts and trains.
* A 2,4 metre high security fence that will be regularly patrolled and maintained to prevent vandalism and unwanted entries along the entire rail track.
* Every movement will be monitored on-screen by staff situated at a high-tech central control centre. Should any suspicious activities be spotted near the Gautrain network, immediate action will ensue.
* The best in global security standards will be used through a high-tech Central Control Centre that will integrate safety and security systems. These include closed circuit television networks, security surveillance, automated ticketing, fibre-optics, public address systems, passenger information displays, radio and wireless voice communication systems and communication with each station.
Safety systems include:
* Signalling: a fully computerised rail signalling system. This will prevent train-to-train collisions, ensure safe movement at junctions or crossings and maintain safe following distances. Railway signalling will be one of the most critical components in the safe operation of the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link. The signalling system is being designed to switch to a safe mode (back-up system) in the unlikely event of failure. All trackside equipment will be protected from vandalism as this may be the single most challenging factor to the effective operation of the signalling system.
* Advanced technology known as an automatic train protection (ATP) system – this will monitor the trains’ top speed limit of 160 kilometres per hour as well as every lesser speed limitation, which will be pre-set for every single metre of track. Should the driver exceed the posted speed limit at any point by more than three kilometres per hour an alarm will sound in his cab. At more than six kilometres per hour above the posted speed limit, the train’s service brakes will be automatically applied to slow the train to below the posted speed limit. It also has the ability to bring a train safely to a stop in the unlikely event that a driver is incapacitated.
* In the case of accidents, security threats, power failures or other emergencies, alarm systems will register for the immediate dispatching of the necessary safety, repair and rescue services.
Deterring crime
One of the most important initiatives is to deter crime. Measures that will be implemented include:
* A closed ticketing system: access can only be obtained to the platform areas and trains with a valid ticket.
* The design: all areas will be properly lit, and trains are open plan throughout the carriages.
* The entire Gautrain rail reserve will be secured with appropriate fencing, with access only at predetermined places.
* Closed circuit TV (CCTV) equipment, including many hundreds of CCTV cameras, will be utilised within the Gautrain Rail system to continuously monitor situations within the system in order for security staff to take immediate action when required. Images from the CCTV equipment will be recorded and stored.
* Visible policing will be provided at all stations. Gautrain security guards will have a close working relation with the Metro Police and SAPS.
* Identification of problem areas. Spatial statistics about occurrence of crime within the Gautrain system and surrounding areas will be kept.
* Monitoring of movement detection equipment will be effected ie, movement within a corridor should attract a response from the guards.
The control centres
The Operations Control Centre will essentially be the heartbeat of the Gautrain from where signalling, telecommunications, automatic fare collection, traction power and overhead distribution CCTV cameras and maintenance will be managed using world-class, high technology systems.
The Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) centre will be housed at the operational control centre in Midrand and will control the Gautrain’s movements and communications. The systems will also monitor the bus feeder systems and, using location-based services, monitor the station and tunnel technology. The centre will be equipped with systems that will monitor the Gautrain’s services. Video displays will be used to track alerts.
The contactless ticketing system
The ticketing system is being built by France’s Thales Group and its local partner, Stimela Infrastructure Management. The R100 million contract requires Thales to design and deploy a contactless e-ticketing system at all 10 Gautrain stations, including OR Tambo International Airport. The solution will also be interoperable so that commuters can use the same contactless smartcard for different services: the Gautrain, Gautrain station car parks and the Gautrain bus feeder and distributor system known as Rea Vaya, in Johannesburg.
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