Controlling Auckland's City Rail Link project

The Auckland City Rail Link (CRL) project will incorporate an integrated control system and communications system from Honeywell. The project will deliver improved rail operations and create more unified communications for better passenger and station safety by migrating multiple sub-systems into a single platform. The project is being managed by Link Alliance, a group of seven companies including City Rail Link Limited, that will deliver the main CRL stations, tunnels and systems.

Honeywell will design, supply, test and commission both an Integrated Control System (ICS) and Communication system across four CRL stations and tunnels. The company’s Enterprise Buildings Integrator (EBI) and Building Management System (BMS) solution will be implemented across the stations to integrate more than 20,000 sensor points in a highly available configuration to provide the CRL operations team with a unified view across all the sub-systems installed in the tunnel and stations.

“We are pleased to expand our work with the City Rail Link team to support this monumental infrastructure project, which will help to transform transportation in New Zealand,” said Michelle Bunting, New Zealand General Manager, Honeywell Building Technologies.

“Our team is focused on creating a more seamless control experience for the CRL operations team while also creating a safer passenger experience with more comprehensive communications protocols.”

Additionally, Honeywell will provide ICT systems and solutions, create a network and Wi-Fi infrastructure for all extra low voltage (ELV) systems, provide cybersecurity auditing and monitoring, install a Honeywell Variodyn D1 PAVA system for public address announcements throughout the stations, deploy in-station technology solutions including passenger information display (PIDs), help points, CCTV cameras and video management systems, and install radio and cellular communications networks (DAS) throughout the stations and tunnels for emergency services, the public and rail operators.

“Honeywell offered a turnkey solution that allows us to work with a single supplier to address both of our integrated control and communications system needs,” said Francois Dudouit, Project Director, Link Alliance.

“They demonstrated a strong local capability for project delivery as well as ongoing service and support, which is critical in a time when there is uncertainty,  travel and offshore delivery. We’re able to work with a local Honeywell team with strong knowledge of our project requirements.”

The CRL is New Zealand’s largest ever transport infrastructure project and features a 3.45-kilometre twin tunnel underground rail link up to 42 metres below the Auckland city centre. It will transform the downtown Britomart Transport Centre into a two-way through-station that better connects the Auckland rail network and will allow the rail network to at least double its rail capacity.

Image credit: iStock.com/georgeclerk