Signaling Modernization in Singapore Metro

(1) Singapore is engaged in a major expansion of its metro network. Construction of a third metro line – the North East Line (NEL) – is well advanced and contracts have been awarded for the first phase of a circular line. Both projects represent a step change in technology for Singapore.

(2) Singapore has steadily expanded its metro since it first decided to build one in the early 1980s. Today, it has two metro lines totaling 83 km, plus an 8 km automated peoplemover that is connected with the metro network at the Chao Chu Kang station. A 6 km extension to Changi Airport will be completed early next year. The 20 km NEL is scheduled to open next year.

(3) NEL will use Alstom’s Axonis electromechanical system which integrates a large range of Alstom products including trains, signaling, power supply, tracks, and communication. Signaling includes:

• Mastria automatic train control system based on block signaling with two-way digital transmission, automatic train protection (ATP), automatic train operation (ATO), and a train data management system;

• Iconis data management system to monitor and control the signaling equipment, platform doors, and trains;

• Smartlock electronic interlocking which implements the interlocking functions both on the line and in the depot; it also interfaces with Mastria and Iconis;

• Smartway conventional signaling equipment such as track circuits, point machines, and signals;

• Agate real-time passenger information and in-train entertainment using LCD¹ and plasma displays to provide high-resolution colour images.

(4) The two-way continuous transmission system uses a wave-guide information network for fail-safe ATO, works, and passenger information. It has a wide bandwidth that enables it to transmit video. Up-to-date technology, originally developed for military transmission, protects communications against interference. The strong leaky wave-guide is laid along the track.

Note: 1) LCD – a liquid crystal display.

Ex. 8. Go back to text A, guess the meaning of the following phrases and translate them into Russian:

the construction is well advanced; the two-way digital transmission; to implement a function; real-time passenger information.

Ex. 9. Search text A for the English equivalents of the following Russian phrases:

кольцевая линия; поэтапное изменение; в начале 80-х годов; первоначально разработанный.

Ex. 10. Translate the following sentences into English using the phrases from exercises 7, 8 and 9:

1. В начале 80-х годов началось поэтапное строительство этой высокоскоростной магистрали. 2. Первоначально разработанный план изменялся дважды. 3. Какие функции выполняет этот прибор? 4. Строительство кольцевой линии уже закончилось. 5. С начала этого года началось быстрое строительство новой железнодорожной ветки. 6. Современное оборудование нового вокзала позволяет предоставлять пассажирам информацию о прибытии и отправлении поездов в режиме реального времени. 7. При помощи современных технологий мы можем осуществлять двустороннюю цифровую передачу данных.

Ex. 11. Answer the following questions to text A. Be careful: one question should not be there because it has nothing to do with the content of the text.

1. What city does the text tell about? 2. How old is Singapore metro? 3. Are new metro lines constructed according to the latest technology? 4. What is the total length of Singapore metro? 5. Why do you understand by a peoplemover? Is it an escalator? 6. What electromechanical system will be used on the North East Line? 7. Alstom is a Japanese computer company, isn’t it? 8. What systems does signaling include? 9. What information network is used to provide fail-safe automatic train operation? 10. What was up-to-date technology originally developed for?

Ex. 12. Go back to text A and using the paragraph reference find the words which are similar to:

to make a contract (paragraph 1),

to enlarge, to interface ( paragraph 2);

a number of, to execute, standard (paragraph 3).

Text B. Scan the text and write down all the unknown words. Read the text trying to guess the meaning of the unknown words. Retell the text in Russian.