Fluidmesh wireless technology is being deployed in Milan to enable autonomous CBTC train control in Metro Line 4.
Fluidmesh wireless technology is being deployed in Milan to enable autonomous CBTC train control in Metro Line 4. Fluidmesh MPLS wireless technology was chosen by Ansaldo STS, a Hitachi Company, to provide critical connectivity for automated train control as well as live video streaming from the on-board security cameras.
Fluidmesh was able to demonstrate a seamless handoff with no packet loss, no matter the speed of the train. Fluidmesh technology also allowed for extended spacing between track-side base stations minimizing both the operational complexity and total cost of ownership (TCO) of the wireless communication system.
Ansaldo STS CBTC technology in Milan Line 4
Milan Line 4 is a completely unmanned driverless metro that implements Ansaldo STS Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) system in association with moving block, a solution that has been deployed in many metro lines around the word including Stockholm Metro, Copenhagen Metro, Riyadh Metro, and Lima Metro. Milan Line 4 is a 15 Km metro line connecting Milan Linate Airport to Milano San Cristoforo. The Metro Line has 21 stations, 47 trains and will become operational in 2022.
The line is almost entirely underground and the reduced headways reached by using the CBTC technology have a significant impact on smaller tunnel size and shorter trains and stations. As a result, the Milan Line 4 system is more cost effective compared to a traditional metro system with the same passenger capacity.
Ansaldo STS has been impressed with Fluidmesh Network’s performance and customer support and selected the company after in-depth testing that demonstrated Fluidmesh 0-millisecond hand-off time and extended spacing between trackside base-stations in comparison with 802.11 based solutions.
Comesvil partnered with Fluidmesh to deploy the train-to-ground wireless communication system for Ansaldo STS as a turn-key solution. Comesvil has more than 40 years of experience in deploying critical signaling systems for main lines and metro lines around the globe. “Comesvil has been a partner of Ansaldo STS for many years, and we strive to provide not only tailored services in mission-critical signaling projects but also innovative technologies, such as Fluidmesh
Fluidity for train-to-ground communication” adds Vincenzo Greco, Comesvil Managing Director. “Fluidmesh MPLS solution has been able to reduce the number of trackside base stations, therefore reducing the total cost of ownership for the end customer. Less track-side hardware means less maintenance costs over the lifespan of the metro.”
Why Fluidmesh?
“Fluidmesh proved to be able to support mission-critical vital communications, such as the Ansaldo STS CBTC signaling system with its stringent reliability and availability requirements” commented Umberto Malesci, Fluidmesh CEO. “We are proud to provide our technology in Milan, one of the cities leading the way in innovation in transportation.”