THE ViaMobilidade Consortium, which operates Line 8-Diamond and Line 9-Emerald of the São Paulo Metropolitan Train System, has signed a contract with Alstom to adapt the signalling on Line 9 to allow for local control of automation train operation (ATO) at Osasco station.
Alstom will be responsible for changing the architecture of the interface between the Operations Control Centre of Line 9-Emerald and Line 8-Diamond, following the introduction of a new interlocking by ViaMobilidade on Line 8. The purpose of the track modifications in the section is to allow Line 9 trains to make post-station manoeuvres and to operate at Osasco station with the ATO system.
To help make these changes possible, adaptation of a new channel in Line 9’s CCO is being considered, as is also the possibility of integrating the new channel into the onboard signalling equipment system of 36 trains being built for lines 8 and 9 by Alstom.
The contract, due to be completed in May 2025, comprises the development and adaptation of software; drafting technical specifications and lists of materials, equipment and spare parts; inspection of materials; system installation, testing and commissioning; and production of operations and maintenance manuals.
The signalling contract follows the announcement in January by Brazil’s National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) that it had approved Reais 4.6bn ($US 873.8m) in financing for ViaMobilidade for work to upgrade lines 8 and 9. At the time of the announcement it was stated that while the funding was to be used primarily for new rolling stock, it would also be used for investment in new signalling and power supply systems and work at stations, workshops and yards.
The ViaMobilidade Consortium, comprising the CCR Group and Ruas Investimento e Participações, won the concession to operate São Paulo Metropolitan Trains Company (CPTM) lines 8 and 9 in April 2021.
