The city of Brussels has implemented an automated driverless metro system, which will increase train frequency from 24 trains an hour to 40, and Alcatel’s fibre-optic network is designed to carry all operational traffic for the system.
Moving to an automated network means additional safety measures are required, including a new signalling system, automatic platform gates and over 10,000 interconnected video-protection cameras.
“Railway operations are becoming increasingly automated and integrated, and the existing communication networks are put under tremendous pressure because of advanced signalling, asset management and improved video security,” said Pascal Homsy, president of strategic industries at Alcatel-Lucent.
“Alcatel-Lucent helps urban transport operators to seamlessly integrate all pieces of this mission-critical infrastructure.”
Alcatel also expects its fibre-optic network to significantly increase the availability and resilience of STIB’s own fibre infrastructure.
“STIB's development is based on performance and quality, efficiency and sustainability – values commonly shared with Alcatel-Lucent,” said Karel Van Oostveldt, senior manager of telecommunications at STIB.
“With its proven broadband solution and know-how in the rail sector, Alcatel-Lucent will bring the required foundation for our passengers and mission-critical services, as well as all innovations which will increase the attractiveness of our public transport offering.”
Alcatel-Lucent has seemingly been focussing on the public safety sector of late, with the news following reports last month that the French vendor had completed a six month trial of a 4G LTE public safety network in Las Vegas, US.