In all modern cities of the world, transportation needs are growing rapidly due to increasing demand generated by upward trend of international business relocations, swell in commercial activities, growth of tourism, urban development and increasing population. Such success brings challenges which are common to many growing countries around the world. People demand more mobility in an efficient and safe manner. Capacity of existing transportations systems becomes rapidly unpredictable leading to frustration and restricted commercial expansion and success. With the ever increasing global expansion trend, the initiation of a rapid transportation infrastructure is a wise and timely action, one that will be reflected in improving the living and working standards of a country’s population and its commercial centres.
Planning and implementing such complex projects, at the same time as maintaining transport systems under extreme pressure is a task within the experience and expertise of Invensys Rail Group, a world class company.
It is a painful fact but every one knows how long it takes to get from the outskirts of Dubai city starting from Jebel Ali to Garhoud area and on to Sharjah on a Thursday evening on the Shaikh Zayed road; and with the unprecedented building programmes from Dubai World Centre, the Palms and the ever increasing developments, things aren’t going to get any better. Well at least not in the short term.
That is way the Dubai Road and Transport Authority are looking to expand the plans for the metro system to include lines connecting the vital parts of the city with convenient connections and interchanges that are sure to offer and provide a convenient way of travel. If Dubai in particular and the Middle East in general are to continue to attract overseas investments, these transport infrastructure projects are a priority and an integral part of future successful blue print envisaged by the cities leaders
Recognising the importance of transport and Dubai’s leading position in being boldly the first in the Middle East to plan and start executing a world class Metro System, the Rail Infrastructure Conference naturally is being held in Dubai 4th & 5th of June
2007 and Invensys Rail Group are giving their view and highlighting the advantages of their tried and tested systems on how to solve these problems.
The company’s products are at the heart of many of the world’s major railway and metro networks, with current projects including both major refurbishment programs, such as the London Underground Victoria Line upgrade, and complex new infrastructure schemes, including the Canada Line Rapid Transit Project in Vancouver.
The company’s work in Vancouver involves the implementation of a complete, Integrated Control and Communications System (ICCS) for a new driverless metro - the 19km Canada Line Project, currently one of the world’s largest green field infrastructure projects. This new, 16 station line, will provide an automated, driverless rail service, linking central Vancouver with the Richmond suburbs and Vancouver International Airport. It will be completed in time for the Winter Olympics which are to be hosted by the city in 2010.
At the heart of the ICCS will be Invensys Rail Group’s control system, SystematICS. This will manage the integration of each of the power, tunnel ventilation and communications sub-systems, including: traction power supply; electrical and mechanical monitoring; CCTV; public address; passenger information display; passenger counting; voice communications and passenger alarm. It will also link to the fire detection, fare collection and unmanned train control systems.
The whole system will be linked by a fibre optic transmission network, covering the entire length of the line and will come together in a single integrated Human Machine Interface (HMI) in the Operations and Maintenance Centre Control Room. From here, the operator will be able to control and monitor all functions for the entire rail network.
Invensys Rail Group’s mainline projects in Spain and Portugal demonstrate how they continue to lead the way in the application of new, high-efficiency technology. In Portugal, Invensys Rail Group has built a mutually satisfying long-term relationship with the client on the basis of many successful SSI installations and new control centres for key mainline routes. In Spain, their pioneering work on the ERTMS pilot scheme between Madrid and Valencia has resulted in a major commission to supply, install, implement and maintain FUTUR ERTMS solutions on a new high speed line from Cordoba to Malaga. For Barcelona Metro, they have recently been successful in implementing a driverless solution for Line 11.
Work for the Kowloon Canton Rail Corporation (KCRC) shows how Westinghouse and its parent company Invensys Rail Group can provide solutions beyond the abilities of any other supplier. Despite the sophistication and complexity of the world’s first fully Integrated operations Control Centre System (ICCS) the KCRC has enjoyed 99.98% reliability since its commissioning, as well as the vital benefits of reduced costs, and improved performance and safety.
The Middle East is a very important emerging market to Invensys Rail Group, with a Memorandum of Understanding in place with a prominent leading UAE company; Invensys Rail Group is continuing its endeavour to win and deliver world class projects and be part of the region’s history. Consequently, they are taking part in the Rail Infrastructure – MENA 2007 conference June 4th & 5th in Dubai as the main sponsor.
Invensys Rail Group can demonstrate that, in partnership with clients and through strategic alliances with equal global players, they are able to plan and deliver comprehensive transportation solutions throughout the world. Their expertise in delivering world class projects in addition to working closely with their clients to provide constant support, advice and training gives Invensys Rail Group the international edge and capabilities that are matched by none, and of that, they are extremely proud.
Sir Graham Hugh Boyce was educated in Hurstpierpoint School, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, England.1 He graduated from Jesus College, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, with a Master of Arts (M.A.).1 After law at Cambridge and a year as a VSO teacher he joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and studied Arabic in Lebanon.
Sir Graham served in the Diplomatic Service between 1968 and 2003, during which time he held the following offices:
• Consul-General to Sweden -- 1987 and 1990
• Ambassador and Consul-General to Qatar -- 1990 - 1993
• Ambassador to Kuwait -- 1996 - 1999
• Ambassador to Egypt -- 1999 – 2001
He was invested as a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.) in 1991 and as a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (K.C.M.G.) in 2001.
Sir Graham currently hols the following positions:
• Chairman, Middle East Advisory Board, Invensys
• Chairman, Middle East Advisory Board, Lehman Brothers
• Middle East Adviser, Air Products
• Member of International Advisory Council, Kuwait Investment Office
• Vice-Chairman, Middle East Association
• Joint Chairman, Windsor Energy Group
• Trustee of the Dakhleh Oasis Trust (Egypt)
