Singapore Rail Test Centre
Railway testing facility in Singapore From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC) is a railway testing facility in Tuas, Singapore. Located on the former site of the Raffles Country Club and opposite Tuas Depot, the 50 ha (120-acre) SRTC is used to test new rolling stock and rail systems for the Singapore MRT network. It incorporates several green building features in its design and operation.
| Singapore Rail Test Centre | |||
|---|---|---|---|
The main entrance to the Singapore Rail Test Centre | |||
| Overview | |||
| Native name | Malay: Pusat Ujian Kereta Api Singapura[1] Chinese: 新加坡铁路测试中心[2] Tamil: சிங்கப்பூர் ரயில் சோதனை நிலையம்[3] | ||
| Locale | Tuas, Singapore | ||
| Transit type | Railway testing facility | ||
| Operation | |||
| Began operation | 2 November 2023 (partial completion) 28 March 2025 (full completion) | ||
| Technical | |||
| System length | 16.9 km (10.5 mi) | ||
| |||
The SRTC was first announced as the Integrated Train Testing Centre in April 2019, and construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony on 17 March 2021. Originally expected to be completed in phases from 2022 to 2024, the opening of the first phase was delayed to November 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and full operations commenced in March 2025. The SRTC is the first such facility in Southeast Asia, featuring workshops, an operations control centre, an administration building and three different tracks for safety tests.
History
Summarize
Perspective
The Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC), initially named as the Integrated Train Testing Centre (ITTC), was first announced by transport minister Khaw Boon Wan on 24 April 2019. Hailing it as a "worthwhile investment" expected to cost "a few hundred million dollars", Khaw said that the ITTC will allow testing of new railway systems, "robustly, round the clock", without the need to close MRT lines. The facility was intended to allow officials to develop deeper expertise in railway operations and maintenance.[4][5][6]
The site was originally secured for the Kuala Lumpur–Singapore high-speed rail (HSR), and part of the HSR route was planned to run across the land from southwest to northeast. Part of the site would also be used for a depot for the Cross Island line. However, when the HSR project was cancelled, LTA deputy CEO Chua Chong Kheng proposed using the site for a testing facility instead.[7] Contract 190 for the design and construction of the ITTC[8] was awarded to GS Engineering & Construction on 17 April 2020 for S$639.5 million (US$468.8 million).[9][10][11] Construction of the ITTC began with a groundbreaking ceremony on 17 March 2021.[12][13][14]
The testing centre was constructed in two phases. The first phase, which includes the high-speed track, was planned to be completed by the end of 2022, allowing Circle line Stage 6 trains to be tested in 2023. The ITTC was originally expected to be completed by the end of 2024, with the construction of two additional test tracks and other facilities.[15] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheduled completion dates were pushed by one year to 2023 and 2025 respectively.[16][17] To enhance safety and efficiency in the construction, the contractor incoporated pre-cast concrete and utilised Building Information Modelling technology.[18]
On 1 November 2022, the rolling stock test and research facility for the ITTC were 50% completed, with trackwork for the high-speed test track nearly completed. The other facilities, including the operations control centre and the administration building, are expected to be completed in 2023.[19] The LTA also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Global Centre of Rail Excellence to collaborate on developing train testing centres in Singapore and the United Kingdom.[20]
In 2023, the ITTC was renamed the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC).[21] The first phase of the SRTC was completed and opened on 2 November of that year.[22][23][24] The testing and commissioning of the new CCL trains began at the facility in November 2023.[25] Full operations of the facility commenced on 28 March 2025.[26]
Design
Summarize
Perspective
Spanning 54 hectares (130 acres),[18][27] the SRTC is constructed on the former site of the Raffles Country Club in Tuas, which was originally acquired for the planned Kuala Lumpur–Singapore high-speed rail.[4][12] The SRTC allows integrated systems testing for different trains and rail systems simultaneously, avoiding the need to conduct tests on operational lines.[28] The testing facility was designed by the Korea Railroad Research Institute,[11][29] with architectural design by Ong&Ong and mechanical and electrical engineering design by Arup.[30] A three-level building houses the operations control centre, offices and a rolling stock workshop.[9][25] The workshop allows mid-life refurbishment of trains.[26]
The SRTC has 16.9 kilometres (10.5 miles) of track, which is compatible with various types of signalling systems and is powered by both 750V direct-current third rail and 25kV alternate current overhead catenary.[15][19] The SRTC will be linked with the East-West Line via a viaduct in 2029.[26] The tracks include:[9]
- A looped 3 km (1.9-mile) endurance track with a 3% maximum gradient for performance testing.[15][19] Part of the track is elevated and runs over Tengah Reservoir.[31] This ensures that the train's systems remain reliable and durable after reaching a set mileage.[25]
- A looped 2.8 km (1.7-mile) S-curved track for performance and integration testing, assessing the train dynamics and its ability to navigate bends.[15][31]
- A 2.8 km (1.7-mile) straight high-speed track with minimal curvature and gradient that enables speed testing of up to 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph).[15][31]
- Stabling and maintenance tracks for any major refurbishment of existing trains.[9]
The SRTC is the first such facility in Southeast Asia.[4][32] The facility was awarded the Building and Construction Authority's Green Mark Platinum certification for its incorporation of energy-efficient features such as smart lighting control, solar panels and a centralised cooling system.[25] The facility includes bicycle parking facilities and sheltered linkways between various buildings to promote walking and cycling within the facility.[15] As a shared testing and maintenance centre, the SRTC also aims for LTA engineers to collaborate with train operators and equipment manufacturers to improve rail capabilities in Singapore.[28]
References
External links
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