ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Board of Directors today awarded Stadler a $500 million contract to equip the agency’s rail network with a new train control system.
MARTA officials said the replacement of the current system will improve train control, which in turn increases rail safety and on-time performance. Swiss-based Stadler Rail is also delivering MARTA with new rail cars at a cost $646 million.
“We’re excited to embark on this transformative project that will prepare us for the future,” MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood said.
“This investment will enhance the safety and reliability of our rail network and allow our trains to operate with the highest safety standards, while still being monitored and controlled by skilled MARTA operators,” Greenwood added. “The system will allow us to increase capacity, improve on-time performance, and optimize efficiency. By doing so, we’ll improve the customer experience and position MARTA as one of the most advanced transportation systems in the country.”
CBCT is an advanced train control system that uses wireless communication to track trains at all times precisely. Thanks to real-time information on train positioning, trains can be operated more precisely, safely, and efficiently.
The Stadler system will work seamlessly with MARTA’s new Stadler CQ400 rail cars, which will be introduced in 2025. The resulting synergies between the onboard and trackside signaling components will allow for a smooth system introduction, increase operational performance, and minimize downtime.
The vehicles will be equipped with the necessary hardware at the Stadler plant in Salt Lake City, where the 56 new MARTA trains ordered in 2019 are being built. The trackside equipment will be installed, tested, and commissioned directly on the MARTA network. MARTA said the project can be completed seamlessly as the on-board and trackside components come from the same supplier.
During a transition phase, trains can run with the old and new systems. As soon as the trackside components have been installed across the board, the transition to the new system will be smooth and without any interruption to operations.
