Transport Asset Holding Entity of New South Wales / Automatic Train Protection Pilot Trial - 2006/0109

PREAMBLE

Rail Corporation of New South Wales (RailCorp) is a statutory state owned corporation constituted by the Transport Administration Act 1988. RailCorp is responsible for providing urban, interurban, country and interstate rail passenger services. RailCorp through its CityRail Division operates around 2550 train services each business day over 16 urban and interurban lines totalling approximately 1030 route kilometres. RailCorp produced over 270 million passenger journeys in 2005/06 and employed around 10,750 personnel.

RailCorp is reviewing its Automatic Train Protection (ATP) requirements. RailCorp analysis indicates that a European Train Control System (ETCS) based ATP solution may best meet its functional requirements and accordingly RailCorp intends to conduct a pilot trial over 30km to 45km of specified track using dedicated V-Set Intercity rolling stock.

This is a significant project and RailCorp is seeking Tenders from experienced designers, manufacturers and installers of ETCS compliant equipment to participate in the ATP Pilot Trial. RailCorp intends to select a number of Tenderers to participate in the trial who can demonstrate a proven ability to:

(a)Design, supply, install, commission and trial on train and/or on track ETCS Level 1 compliant equipment that:

(i)meets RailCorp operational requirements at acceptable levels of safety, reliability, availability, maintainability and life cycle cost;

(ii)requires little or minimal customisation for application to Railcorp signalling systems and rolling stock;

(iii)builds on and optimises RailCorp existing investment in its signalling systems and rolling stock; and

(iv)has a demonstrated upgrade path to a ETCS Level 2 and beyond;

(b)work collaboratively with RailCorp and other trial participants to:

(i)develop a set of Application Rules to translate RailCorp specific signalling principles, site specific track configuration data and rolling stock operating parameters into business and design rules that have general applicability to the implementation of ETCS to the RailCorp Network and fleet at large; and

(ii)demonstrate and prove via the trial the interoperability of its on-train and/or trackside equipment with the on train and/or on track equipment (as relevant) of each other trial participant.

Tenderers are also invited to propose an ATP Limited Supervision (ATP-LS) on-train system but only if the Tenderer also meets the requirements of (a) and (b) above. Moreover, RailCorp will only consider systems that currently exist, and are based on Eurobalise technology and ETCS messaging.

RailCorp views the ATP Pilot Trial as a key step in its strategy to develop and progressively implement integrated next-generation train supervision, protection, control and information systems in partnership with one or more suitably qualified suppliers. Accordingly, RailCorp will select Tenderers to participate in the ATP Pilot Trial on the basis that the Tenderer can supply equipment which can be integrated with its own or other manufacturers equipment to deliver:

(a)digital train radio communications;

(b)real time passenger information;

(c)train location functions; and

(d)train control and management systems including automatic train operation.

As minimum, each Tenderer must demonstrate that its proposed ETCS Level 1 or ATP-LS solution (if relevant) will not prejudice Railcorp future selection and deployment of such systems.

This Request for Tender provides a significant opportunity for a Successful Tenderer to:

(a)have its ETCS compliant equipment Type Approved for use on the RailCorp Network;

(b)demonstrate its ATP-LS on train equipment (if relevant) on the RailCorp Network as a precursor to type approval; and

(c)potentially establish a long term relationship with RailCorp to develop and deliver a 21st century digital railway for the greater Sydney area.

To meet this objective, RailCorp is inviting Tenders from manufacturers and suppliers of ETCS compliant ATP and related systems that have the required qualifications, experience and track record to fulfil the undertakings set out in the Contract.

On conclusion of this Request for Tender (the RFT) process, RailCorp may, at its sole discretion, enter into the Contract with the Successful Tenderer(s).

This Preamble is in summary form only for the convenience of Tenderers and must not be relied upon by Tenderers. It is subject to the detailed requirements in Parts?A to D of this RFT Document. Without limitation, the proposed scope of work outlined in the RFT may be subject to amendment in accordance with Addenda issued under clause A14 of the Conditions of Tendering.