Singapore’s mass rapid system (MRT) is on its path to becoming one of the most reliable public transportation systems in the world. All MRT lines now have an MKBF - mean kilometres between failures - of more than one million train-km. To sustain this level of reliability, both the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and public transport operators are investing and working on new technologies. SMRT, the leading MRT operator in Singapore, launched the Track Access Management System (TAMS) to the North-South and East-West lines (NSEWL) in July 2021. The TAMS system has improved the rail reliability further. Read on to know how.
SMRT’s Track Access Management System
TAMS is a digital solution developed by SMRT Trains and PCCW Solutions. It is a system that digitalises and automates track access allocation for the regular maintenance and planning of engineering works. The system replaces some of the most time-consuming and labour-intensive manual processes
TAMS provides real-time updates of track allocation status and access progress to engineers. As a result, workers get quick visibility into workflows. TAMS has also been able to ensure safety standards in track management. The built-in safety rules in TAMS provide engineers with safety regulations to conduct conflict checks on each scheduled track access.
How TAMS Helped SMRT in Improving Rail Reliability
• After the implementation of TAMS, SMRT was able to save 30,000 manhours per year.
• The system has optimised maintenance efforts and improved productivity.
• Since the launch of the TAMS system, SMRT has been able to achieve more than 1.3 million Mean Kilometres Between Failure (MKBF) for the North-South Line (NSL) and more than 1.4 million MKBF for the East-West Line (EWL).
• TAMS uses artificial intelligence and features interlocking safety standards that help to optimise track access allocation planning.
Mr. Lam Sheau Kai, President, SMRT Trains, said, “The implementation of TAMS on the North-South, East-West Lines has given us optimized use of limited engineering hours for higher productivity and enhanced safety in our maintenance regimen. TAMS exemplifies SMRT’s commitment to Kaizen culture for continual improvements in the operations and maintenance of rail lines for high rail reliability.”
Mr. Seah Moon Ming, SMRT Chairman, said, “For our rail network to continue to grow steadily, it is crucial for us to build bench strength and deepen the engineering capabilities that will sustain us through the long haul. As part of our ongoing efforts to improve rail reliability, we launched the first phase of the Track Access Management System (TAMS) on the NSEWL in July 2021. We will be progressively rolling out TAMS to the other lines.”
After achieving success with the TAMS implementation on the NSEWL lines, SMRT is ready to implement the Track Access Management System for the Circle Line (CCL), Thomson-East Coast Line, Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT) network, and six depots.
Conclusion
SMRT is working with LTA to improve Singapore’s transport infrastructure. The Track Access Management System has uplifted rail reliability in the country. The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PCCW Solutions to jointly develop a go-to-market strategy to promote TAMS in the Southeast Asia region.
