Siemens Mobility has been awarded a new contract by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to modernise New York City’s Fulton-Liberty Lines with advanced Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology.
The 390 million USD project, which will be carried out in collaboration with L.K. Comstock (LKC), will see the modernisation of 23 stations along 65 track kilometres with Siemens’ CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in full compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications (I2S).
Siemens and L.K. Comstock will digitalise signalling technology on NYC’s Fulton-Liberty lines
© Siemens Mobility
With these new upgrades, trains will be capable of running as close as 90 seconds apart. The modernisation will leverage next-generation CBTC technology to fully integrate interlocking and train control functions, including 5G wireless communcation.
The new technology will be used in an effort to boost capacity, reduce waiting times, and provide flexibility to meet future demand.
Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, said:
Modernising the Fulton-Liberty Lines is not just a technological milestone — it’s a commitment to delivering a better, more efficient, and frequent travel experience for millions of New Yorkers.
With Siemens Mobility’s next-generation CBTC system, Trainguard MT, we have the power to enhance on-time performance and reduce train intervals to as little as 90 seconds, ensuring faster, more reliable service across the Fulton-Liberty Lines. We are grateful to the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority for their trust in Siemens Mobility to help shape the future of sustainable and efficient urban transit in New York.
Alongside taking on a 25-year maintenance contract (with the option for two additional five-year extensions); Siemens Mobility will deploy Trainguard MT to integrate nine subway interlockings across two separate subway lines. This will include replacing outdated track circuits with axle counter technology, as well as introducing 5G-based radio communications to power real-time, optimised train control.
As part of the overall modernisation, LKC will decommission all signalling and associated equipment replaced by the Train Control System. The scope of work will include the installation and replacement of 24 new Special Work Portions, 94 switch machines and the construction of four new train control rooms – all of which will require over 1,200 kilometres of cable to be installed throughout both the tunnels and within the newly built facilities.
The project will also introduce 5G commuter cellular service by way of installation of a new Distributed Antenna System and support fibre cabling in the underground tunnel portion, which spans 62 track segments with work in 18 stations.