BRESCIA Metro, Italy, has awarded a contract to Thales to upgrade the communications system on the 14km driverless light metro line which opened in 2013.

The contract involves the installation of a new train-to-ground broadband data communication system. This includes an integrated CCTV encoder for digitising analogue video signals; a Wi-Fi link to connect trains to the ground through on-board equipment and trackside access-points; and a dedicated data network to connect the Wi-Fi access-point to the operations control centre (OCC). Thales will also install the video surveillance and diagnostics software in the OCC.

The new system will allow almost real-time transmission of image data from on-board CCTV cameras to the OCC with the ability to share video content with other security operators. Completion of the project in February 2022 will result in better passenger safety on board trains.