On the infrastructure systems of the metro network, Eng. Jassim Mohammed Al Ansari, Chief of Program Delivery at Qatar Rail, said: “Qatar Rail has 4 key pillars and objectives that we have accounted for, even before initiating any action on systems’ selection, namely safety, reliability, sustainability, and the quality and efficiency of those systems. All of the objectives were derived from the Qatar National Vision 2030, which was launched in 2008.”
Al Ansari noted that it was taken into account that all systems used are highly sophisticated and reliable.
He added that signaling systems that control train operation are some of the most modern and advanced in the world and are characterized by being highly reliable and ready. All trains are driverless, operate at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour, and are connected to quality-of-service monitoring systems.
Al Ansari pointed out the importance of the network’s communication systems in organizing and regulating communication between devices, trains, control rooms, and service centers, among other systems, in addition to the systems used in maintenance operations that provide real-time data on the status of trains, systems, and infrastructure or any malfunction to provide a quick response to any emergency. This is in addition to the systems used to monitor and supervise the quality of the systems on the premises, which are connected to air conditioning systems, pumps, and other equipment to detect any defects and take the necessary action.
Eng. Jassim Mohammed Al Ansari, Chief of Program Delivery
Al-Ansari explained that for the World Cup preparations, the reliability of the metro network has been tested over the course of more than 3 years, and that software systems are constantly updated, especially since the various infrastructure systems used within the network are upgradable and scalable when needed.
He added: “For instance, as part of the preparations for the World Cup, the number of AFC gates at the stations has been increased and they continue to work efficiently without any technical problems experienced as a result of the additional installations. The number of trains in the fleet has also been increased with additional trains to support the hosting of major events, including the World Cup, with a number of trains currently in operation while other service-ready trains are held in the depot.”
Al-Ansari noted that backup systems are in place and are available when needed or in the case of any emergency, such as the metro’s Integrated Control Center (ICC) in Al Wakra, which has another backup center in a different location equipped with the same systems and is neither electronically nor geographically connected to the main system currently in operation. This ensures that in the event of a malfunction or emergency in the main system, the backup control center maintains operational processes without incurring any damages.
He pointed out that all the main system lines in the rail network’s infrastructure are equipped with more than one power supply source to ensure the continuity of service in the event of any emergency, and that many tests and drills have been conducted for thousands of systems since the operation of the network commenced.
