Development of a New National Train Control Centre

Central Traffic Control, Connolly Station

The Central Traffic Control, Connolly Station, is the focal point for train service delivery on the IÉ network. The CTC team are crucial to the delivery of safety and operational performance achieved through the proactive management of all rail services, intervening as required to maintain the cohesiveness of the daily train plan. Operations at CTC have evolved since the 1970s but have reached a point where the building and systems are at operational capacity, and do not support the next level of investment that will transform the IE business and ultimately, customer experience.

The CTC controls approximately 70% of the IE Network, with the remaining areas signalled under local control.

The National Train Control Centre

The National Train Control Centre (NTCC) and the Traffic Management System (TMS) will play a crucial role in optimizing and enhancing the operations of Iarnród Éireann's train services. The integration of the NTCC and TMS represents a comprehensive strategy to modernize and optimize train control operations, ultimately leading to improved service quality, on-time delivery, and enhanced customer information provision for Iarnród Éireann.

The new National Train Control Centre developed behind Heuston Station has been designed as a highly secure and hi-tech facility. Taking 27 months to construct, it comprises a 5,500m2 building constructed over a partial basement, with 5 floors, a backup energy building and a Security Guardhouse. The design (incorporating IES thermal modelling) was carried out to ensure the building is compliant with Technical Guidance Document - Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) of the Irish Building Regulations and the new ‘Nearly Zero Energy Buildings’ (NZEB) requirements introduced in 2019, providing a very high energy performance facility.

The facility also comprises of the co-location of the emergency response unit of An Garda Síochána (AGS) plus the traffic control arrangements operated by Dublin City Council (DCC) into the NTCC. Both AGS and DCC will be located on Level 03 of the facility. Iarnród Éireann NTCC colleagues will work together as a team to control tasks, ranging from train control and regulation, incident response and service recovery, culminating in the provision of accurate real time passenger information through multiple customer communication channels.

Upon commissioning of the Traffic Management System (TMS) in the NTCC, it is planned that the existing Central Traffic Control (CTC) building at Connolly Station will be developed as a back-up centre.

A Traffic Management System to be located within the NTCC which when fully commissioned will control and interface to all systems used to operate the railway. The TMS technology is a key component that enables real-time optimisation of the daily train plan. It supports signallers and controllers in decision-making tasks, offering advanced tools and network views. The TMS provides a wider operational vision through advanced predictive tools and network views and will enhance the ability of operators to manage and optimize train services more effectively. The TMS also provides critical capability in improving incident management and resolution in a timely manner. The implementation of the NTCC and TMS aims to provide services on time and according to the planned schedule and thus improve overall service quality to the travelling public. The TMS will support enhanced customer information provision through various media by serving as the 'one source of the truth,' to provide accurate and timely information to customers through multiple channels.

Current Status

NTCC Building:

The NTCC Building was constructed over a two year period, commencing in 2020. The building was completed in November 2022 and An Gardá Siochaná commenced their operations from the centre in the same month.

Traffic Management system (TMS):

Following tender process for the procurement of the new Traffic Management System undertaken in 2019, a contract for the design, development, fabrication, installation, testing and commissioning and safety approvals for the main TMS system at the NTCC was awarded to Indra Sistemas Ltd.

The preliminary design phase was completed in 2021 and the detailed design phase was completed in 2022. Indra completed the installation of workstation furniture and control system equipment hardware within the NTCC in 2023. Work is currently ongoing on completing software development and factory acceptance (FAT) for the TMS and testing of the TMS with all other subsystems with direct interfaces will continue throughout 2024, with migration of operations to the centre planned for 2025.

Level 2 Operation Control workstation furniture and control system equipment installation

Operational readiness and training activities are also underway.  This involves the recruitment of new staff, training of over 140 staff and developing new and updating existing procedures to support the operation of the new Traffic Management System.

Level 1 Signalling Control – typical signaller workstation

The IÉ Signalling Telecoms and Electrification Department (SET) are undertaking the reconfiguration of existing legacy systems of which a significant number are required to interface to the new Traffic Management System. Interfaces between the new Traffic Management System and these diverse legacy systems has been developed between the Traffic Management System supplier (Indra Sistemas), Iarnród Éireann, and the existing legacy system providers. Completion of these works to support migration of the TMS on to the IÉ network is planned to be complete in 2024.

A TMS back up is being installed as part of Indra’s Contract at the existing CTC Building at Connolly Station. To support this the CTC Building requires reconfiguration of the existing Mechanical & Electrical systems. The detailed design for this reconfiguration works was completed in 2023, and it is planned to issue a tender for these works in mid 2024. This will prepare the facility for Indra’s fit out and commissioning works planned to take place in 2026.

For more information please see Construction of National Train Control Centre or Ag Tógáil Lárionad Náisiúnta Um Rialú Traenacha.

If you would like more information on the project, please email -  ntcc@irishrail.ie