5 minute read
Siemens Mobility – A partner for two decades of enhancing Thailand’s rail system
Rawisara Su-anchalee
The world is currently giving priority to further development and enhancement of rail transportation. It has to be said that rail transportation has become the backbone of infrastructure for urban growth. It is an important factor in improving the quality of life, while providing extra economic capabilities, particularly through higher throughput and faster speed.
Coping with the growing demand for rail travel does not necessarily require large investments in new infrastructure. Improving existing infrastructure may be even more effective. In the current tech age, AI, Big Data, 5G and the Cloud have already made tremendous advances, which have also powered rail transportation with flexible and convenient smart digital solutions for urban dwellers, resulting in greater convenience in travel.
Digital technology, services and innovations enable greater availability, improved punctuality, more sustainable and better utilization of train capacity, which benefit both rail operators and customers. This can be achieved by expanding the existing infrastructure through digital upgrades. Siemens Mobility has been upgrading its systems to a greater state of advancement in order to support rail lines around the world, including Thailand, which is also in the midst of a major transportation upgrade.
According to Mr. Tomasz Mazur, CEO of Siemens Mobility in Thailand, “for the past 20 years, Siemens Mobility has been very proud contributor to many mass-transit and mainline rail projects in Thailand. The most recent project, for example, the development of the dual track network on the Chira-Khon Kaen Line, which was completed in 2020. This particular enhancement of the rail transportation system to double track has resulted in making higher speed possible, leading to a reduction in travel time by more than 50 per cent and an increased throughput with the highest safety standards. It is also the basis for expanding the double track network throughout north-eastern Thailand, from where it will be connected to neighbouring countries in the future”.
Mr. Mazur noted that “the Chira-Khon Kaen line is a successful example of a smart transportation system incorporating an interlocking with automatic train protection (ATP) which is compliant with the European Train Control System (ETCS Level 1) to control train speed. It provides the additional advantage of supervising and stopping trains automatically when exceeding speed restrictions or passing of signals at danger. It provides protection and safety which operators and especially passengers can trust.”
Mr. Mazur added that to achieve the targets of upgrading to smart rail with digital systems, the company plays an important part in powering rail technology in Asia and the Pacific. The company highlights digital innovations to support intermodal transport solutions suitable for economic and suburban/urban contexts. It is driving transportation systems in Thailand towards optimized lifecycle costs, ultimate availability, maximized throughput as well as optimized customer processes and experience. Among others, the company is focusing in particular on following innovations:
• Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS): Seamless integration of ticketing and booking as well as Big Data analytics combined in flexible and secure MaaS platforms make it possible to empower an efficient intermodal mobility – for the benefit of travellers and operators alike. The MaaS App makes it easy and convenient for passengers to individually find their way through the mobility jungle, from origin to destination;
• Smarter rail asset management with Railigent: The IoT and AI-based Big Data application suite for rail assets covers the entire digital value chain for 100% system availability. It offers rail operators great benefits from the operation, maintenance and management of their rail assets. Fully-functional, full-loop technology reduces lifecycle costs by 15% with extended service and maintenance intervals, and lowers energy consumption by up to 10%, making rail transportation of the future even more eco-friendly.
• Velaro Novo high-speed rail innovation for sustainable travel: High-speed electric rail is among the top alternatives for long-distance travel. However, travelling is not just about speed. Consideration must also be given to the environment and pollution. Siemens Mobility has designed high-speed trains as the answer for travel in today’s world, which can save travel times with speeds of up to 360 kph, while transporting up to 1,200 passengers per trip. The system reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1,375 tonnes per year and energy consumption by 30%. It is sustainable, while giving extra convenience to passengers for the best experience and the greatest possible freedom when travelling.
That is why Siemens Mobility is more than ready to take the next step: making all these digital solutions part of today’s reality. For more detailed evidence of this transformation, join us at InnoTrans 2022, the world’s biggest railway exhibition, in Berlin, Germany during 20-23 December 2022 at hub 27 and at tracks 6 and 7 for greater insights into, and the latest innovations for ensuring a more sustainable, convenient and comfortable way to travel.
Contact details: Rawisara Su-anchalee, Corporate Communications and Sales Support Professional, Siemens Mobility Limited Thailand, +66 2 079 5455, Rawisara-su-anchalee@siemens.com, www.siemens.co.th/mobility
