Siemens Rail Technology to Help Automate and Power San Diego Light Rail Line Extension
Siemens has been chosen by Mid-Coast Transit Constructors to provide the San Diego Metropolitan Transportation System with technologies that will automate and power the region’s Mid-Coast Corridor light rail extension project. These 10.9 miles of new light rail commuter lines will provide riders additional access into the city while reducing traffic congestion. A Siemens overhead catenary system and track-side substations will power the new line while advanced rail automation technologies and signalling systems will ensure safe and efficient operation of the light rail vehicles. This project expands Siemens’ existing work with MTS that includes power and automation equipment throughout the current system in addition to 244 Sacramento-built light rail vehicles purchased over the past 30 years, making MTS the company’s largest U.S. light rail vehicle customer.
“Siemens is thrilled to expand our partnership with MTS and San Diego, a region that has long-benefitted from both our rail infrastructure systems like electrification and automation, but also our Sacramento-built light rail vehicles that have been running for over 35 years,” said Marsha Smith, country division controller, Siemens Mobility. “Though riders can’t often see rail electrification and automation technologies in the same way they experience the light rail vehicles themselves, these systems play an essential role in ensuring that trains are running on-time and, importantly, keeping passengers safe.”
The overhead catenary system and substation technologies will convert AC power to DC in order to operate the light rail vehicles as efficiently as possible. In addition, Siemens rail automation technologies will provide MTS with insight on vehicle location and operation status in order to safely manage train movement along the expanded system.
The Mid-Coast Corridor line is projected to open in January 2021.
