ISMS Renewals (Phase 1)

Client: London Overground (RfL)

Programme: N/A

Location: ELL Core Route

Discipline: Infrastructure Maintenance

Project Overview

Cleshar was successful in tendering for the integrated station management system (ISMS) renewal programme as the principal designer and contractor. The need for the renewal arose because the existing system did not meet the operational needs of Rail for London or Arriva Rail London, the station facilities’ operator (SFO). The renewal was also driven by the need for new station information and surveillance systems (SISS), to replace obsolete equipment, and to introduce a new alarms management approach.

Scope of Works

De-couple associated SISS sub-systems from the existing ISMS, to enable them to operate from independent, proprietary platforms using Commercial off the shelf (COTS) equipment to reduce third-party interfaces and allow the sub-systems to be run more efficiently.
Replace individual SISS components and field equipment with modern technologies to increase overall system resilience. Individual systems affected were:

Customer information systems (Audio)
Customer information systems (Visual)
Closed circuit television [CCTV]
Passenger help points [PHP]

Carry out modification works at 10 stations on the ELL core route (within communications, equipment rooms and ticket offices) and at the New Cross Gate Operational Building Complex (NGX-OBC), the primary location for control and monitoring of ELL retail telecommunications. Modify the local area network (LAN) to facilitate these changes including configuring software, and introducing new network hardware (i.e., servers, and network switches between Dalston Junction and Surrey Quays).

Innovations

Working with the client, a new alarms management approach was identified through this project which achieved a 20% reduction in SISS-related alarms being presented to ARL customer service controllers (CSC) at the operational control centre. This reduced the number of ARL CSC staff having to be deployed to monitor/respond to alarms by 50% and generated financial efficiencies without impacting safe operations. We also eliminated the need for new CCTV field equipment to be purchased and installed at Canada Water, instead working with London Underground (LU) to obtain access to local camera feeds, at minimal cost.

Benefits / Project Outcome

The works were delivered a month early and within budget. Specific benefits delivered under Phase 1 also include the following:

New passenger information displays (i.e., next train, next departure) were introduced that were compliant with Underground Fire Precaution Regulations. The existing units did not comply with recent changes to fire standards.
New public announcement (PA) system components were introduced that were compliant with EN54 Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems.
We introduced next generation GE800 range passenger help point equipment with enhanced features compared to their predecessors. These features enabled multiple communications (i.e., intercom, video, information, and control) within a single system.
The works led to a significant reduction in maintenance costs for the asset owner, as individual SISS systems were now de-coupled from a single, proprietary ISMS system.
The works generated a volume of critical spares, from recoveries, which could be used on other LO routes.
Significant operational and safety risks were mitigated when obsolete equipment was replaced.
We streamlined the fault reporting process and cleared numerous long-standing, systematic faults.
System resilience was improved for all sub-systems, fault diagnosis capabilities were improved, and stakeholders were provided with higher quality monitoring and performance data to better manage their assets.
Access to web-based system support tools was improved.