The Tyne and Wear Metro control room is to undergo a \u00a38.8 million upgrade to key systems essential for day-to-day operations. Technology which manages key assets such as Metro power supply, fire and intruder alarms, lighting, lifts, escalators, and tunnel drainage pumps, will be renewed during the work to an upgraded digital standard.<\/p>\n
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The current Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) was installed in the mid-1990s and is now coming towards the end of its lifespan. The upgrade to the equipment\u00a0 will allow for faster and more effective fault finding for facilities across the system \u2013 with the aim of helping to reduce disruptions for Metro passengers.<\/p>\n
Whilst the upgrade is underway, the current system will remain switched on and will do so until the new system is ready to take over fully. At no point will the Metro be without a backup or power.<\/p>\n
The majority of the work will not require the network to be closed, but in order for it to take place safely and efficiently there will be some early morning and late evening system-wide closures necessary.<\/p>\n
The following closures will be in place:<\/p>\n
As usual there will be replacement bus services running at these times.<\/p>\n
Stuart Clarke, Nexus\u2019 Infrastructure Director, said: \u201cThis project is a major investment in new technology for our Metro control room at South Gosforth and is vital for Metro\u2019s long-term future.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a project which has been meticulously planned over the last two years to ensure the least possible amount of disruption to our customers. However, some late and early closures will be required so that we can switch across to the new digital equipment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe SCADA system is essential for the safe and effective operation of Metro. It enables us to remotely manage the high and low voltage power supplies and other key things like lighting, lifts, escalators and fire alarms.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new system will allow us to resolve infrastructure issues more effectively, which will mean less disruption for our customers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere services are impacted, customers will be provided with replacement buses and I apologise in advance for the disruption. Customers are advised to be aware of the closure dates and allow plenty of extra time for their journeys.\u201d<\/p>\n
This will be the most significant upgrade to the Metro control room since the introduction of a computerised signalling control system in 2018. It will use the very latest SCADA and RTU (remote terminal unit) products that have already been used extensively across the mainline UK rail network.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Tyne and Wear Metro control room is to undergo a \u00a38.8 million upgrade to key systems essential for day-to-day operations. Technology which manages key assets such as Metro power supply, fire and intruder alarms, lighting, lifts, escalators, and tunnel … Continue reading