The Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) network will link 70 metro stations, supporting communications-based train control (CBTC), around 10,000 CCTV cameras, and onboard passenger information systems. It will also provide a real-time LAN connection between all ticket vending machines and ticket offices.

Alcatel-Lucent says the system is the largest ever deployment of Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer (RODM) nodes on a metro network, with 140 nodes set to be installed as part of the project. The network will be fully-redundant with two parallel loops to ensure high levels of availability.

Metro lines 1 and 5 witnessed a 102% increase in ridership between 2000 and 2012, and these lines are being automated to support the introduction of 90-second headways, which will increase peak capacity from 25 to 40 trains per hour. Mixed mode operation is due to start in 2020 with the switch to full driverless operation scheduled for 2023.

An interview with Stib CEO Mr Brieuc de Meeûs will appear in the January 2014 issue of IRJ.