Project Goal
Introducing and installing a new system to remotely monitor trackside ATP equipment to efficiently detect malfunctions
Partner
Bombardier Transportation
(Now Alstom)
Client
Taiwan Railways Administration
(TRA)
Partnering with an International Supplier to Provide Customized ATP Monitoring
Following the successful implementation of Automatic Train Protection around Taiwan, Welltek collaborates with Bombardier Transportation to innovate a tailor-made system for remote equipment monitoring.
Partner
Bombardier Transportation (Now Alstom)
Client
Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA)
Project Goal
Introducing and installing a new system to remotely monitor trackside ATP equipment to efficiently detect malfunctions
Background
Execute Project
Automatic Train Protection (ATP)
Issue
TRA found the manual maintenance of trackside ATP units inefficient and resource-intensive as railway staff needed to manually inspect each unit for malfunctions or failures,Until we discovered this weakness.
Project
Project Requirements
A monitoring system that would allow TRA to remotely keep track of the functionality of ATP units across the rail network was needed.
Project Plan
Given that this was a customized system for TRA, Welltek’s initial task was to act as a go-between for TRA and Bombardier, discovering requirements to be fulfilled, demonstrating the value of the solution, and working to ensure Bombardier was capable of tailoring a system to Taiwan’s unique railway environment.
Welltek’s
Services
Supplier and
Operator Coordination
Equipment Localization
Installation, Testing,
and Electromechanical Design
Legacy and New
Technologies Integration
Challenges &
Solutions
Building Trust and
Open Communication
Developing a customized solution during pandemic restrictions and delayed component delivery put further pressure on the construction schedule. In these challenging times, Welltek, Bombardier, and TRA put pre-established trust to work, keeping communication lines open. This, alongside our coordination with local TRA staff, was vital in meticulously scheduling installation work to avoid disrupting railway operations. Despite the challenges, all partners collaborated successfully to complete the installation of the ATP monitoring system.
Adding Value as a Local Partner
on the Ground
Despite Bombardier’s wealth of international experience, this project involved installation work at over 297 stations located across Taiwan. As each station has a unique physical layout and geography, we provided detailed maps and illustrations to Bombardier’s engineers to integrate TRA’s track layout into their software systems. We also assemble the physical monitoring equipment to meet each station’s individual requirements. With our technicians and experts in-country, Welltek could quickly respond to any issues, minimizing disruption during the installation phase.
Flexible Project Management and
Customized Solutions
To combine the new monitoring system with the existing trackside ATP units, Welltek designed a wire frame that could fit adequately inside existing cabinets, removing the need to reconstruct the existing ATP infrastructure completely. As several locations lacked the necessary internet coverage that allowed for remote monitoring, Welltek actively renegotiated the contract to guarantee the completion of the network while taking on the responsibility of delivering future elements once internet coverage became available.
Results
Welltek successfully helped Bombardier develop a local market for remote ATP monitoring from scratch and guided every project element to completion. From TRA’s perspective, they now possess a centralized monitoring system for their network of ATP trackside equipment, allowing for more accurate and efficient maintenance. This not only freed up TRA resources but also advanced the level of safety standards on Taiwan’s railways.
On Bombardier’s side, thanks to their trust in Welltek, they developed a new product that was not only a commercial success but also deepened their relationship with TRA, helping cement their legacy in Taiwan.
Angus Chang
Manager, Technical Dept. | Welltek International ITS Inc.
