NTU and SMRT to trial new monitoring systems on the train network to improve rail reliability

A unique sensor system that can accurately detect MRT train door faults and alert engineering teams in advance, is one of the fruits of a dedicated research collaboration between Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and SMRT.

The new door sensors monitor air pressure, movement speed and power systems for the pneumatic train doors. Aimed at enhancing train reliability, the sensor system is now undergoing trials on a train serving Singapore’s North-South and East-West Lines, and will progressively be implemented in phases across the network.

This is one of 13 ongoing projects under development at the SMRT-NTU Smart Urban Rail Corporate Laboratory, which was officially opened today by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Finance and Chairman of the National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF).

The $60 million joint lab was established through a partnership between NTU and SMRT, supported by NRF that began two years ago.

The lab is one of 12 corporate labs supported by the NRF, which facilitates the setting up of corporate labs via public-private partnerships.

The joint lab is also the sixth NRF-supported corporate lab located on NTU’s Smart Campus.

Starting next year, three other innovations developed at the joint lab will begin network trials.

The first is a train mounted, real-time condition monitoring system that can pick up defects on the power rails and running rails along the network in advance. It achieves this by using radio frequency technology to monitor the electrical contact between the trains and the track.

Another innovation automates the inspection of train axles using a portable robot that comes equipped with a track-mounted sensor.