Siemens supplies signaling and communication systems for the Saudi Arabian railway network

Erlangen, Dec 19, 2005, A consortium composed of Siemens and the Nour Communications Company of Saudi Arabia has received an order from the Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) to upgrade the infrastructure of the Saudi Arabian railway network. Siemens will equip the line between Dammam and Riyadh with signaling and safety equipment, a GSM railway network and a video monitoring system for the railway crossings. The total track length is about 1,000 kilometers. The Siemens share of the contract is 59 million euros.

The heart of the signaling and safety equipment is an electronic interlocking. In addition, Siemens is supplying railway crossings which are each equipped with a video monitoring system (CCTV). The modern technology to be installed will increase safety, enable greater route utilization and will also make train operations more economically efficient and flexible. The systems have a modular design and can be adapted to the operator’s special requirements and the conditions of the route. Siemens will also be responsible for the maintenance of the signaling equipment.

In future, train drivers, conductors and station masters will also be able to communicate with each other in the whole network of routes via GSM Railway (GSM R), the new mobile system from Siemens Communications. In contrast to the walkie-talkie system currently in use, GSM R supports conference calls between multiple people, for example, and ensures a stable connection, regardless of weather conditions. Siemens is supplying all the components needed for setting up and operating the GSM R network such as switches, base stations or service and administration platforms. Apart from installation and commissioning, Siemens will also provide services such as personnel training and system maintenance over the next five years. For the Siemens Communications Group, the world’s leading supplier of mobile solutions for rail communication, this order means a breakthrough for GSM R in the Arabian area.

The Saudi Arabian railway network consists of two around 500 kilometer-long lines which connect the port of Dammam with Riyadh, the capital, in the centre of the country. SRO carries around 850,000 passengers per year and transports cargo amounting to approximately 850 million tonne-kilometers. At the moment, there are plans to expand the railway network by adding a 115 kilometer-long connection. This would create a direct railway link right across Saudi Arabia, from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea.

The Transportation Systems Group (TS) of Siemens AG is one of the leading international suppliers to the railways industry. As single source supplier and system integrator, the Group combines in its business segments Automation & Power, Rolling Stock, Turnkey Systems and Integrated Services all the expertise necessary to cover the spectrum from signaling and control systems to traction power supplies, as well as rolling stock for mass transit, regional and main line services. Extensive experience in project management and forward-looking service concepts complement our portfolio. In fiscal 2005 (ended September 30), TS generated sales of around EUR 4.2 billion with a staff of around 18,400 the world over. Further information on TS can be found at: www.siemens.com/transportation

The Siemens Communications Group is one of the largest players in the global telecommunications industry. The company offers a full-line portfolio of innovative solutions for voice and data communication. Its comprehensive offerings range from devices right through to complex network infrastructures and services for wireless, fixed and enterprise networks. It is the largest Group within the Siemens organization and operates in more than 160 countries around the world. In fiscal 2005 (September 30), its 54,500-strong workforce posted sales of over 13 billion euros.
More about Siemens Communications at http://www.siemens.com/communications


Reference number / Informationsnummer: TS RA 200512.09 e

Contact Information

Angelika Holtkamp

Siemens Communications

Contact via E-mail