SMRT, CRRC Sifang team up to boost train maintenance

SMRT has partnered with CRRC Sifang to enhance the reliability and comfort of the C151B train, which operates on Singapore’s North-South and East-West lines.

The collaboration, formalised through two agreements at the 5th LTA-UITP Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition (SITCE) 2024, aims to trial the latest reliability-centred capabilities and improve commuter experience.

The first agreement involves a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand collaboration in digitalisation, advanced automation, and robotics. The second agreement is a proof of concept (POC) contract aimed at testing the latest reliability-centred features on a C151B train.

Under the proof of concept (POC), both companies will retrofit one of the 45 C151B trains with advanced monitoring systems.

A Condition Monitoring (CM) system will be installed to facilitate predictive maintenance, while Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technologies will assess the train’s structural integrity, detecting micro changes in stress and strain.

The Train Information and Management Systems (TIMS) will also be upgraded to provide precise information on the health status of critical train systems.