Commencement of Hitachi Rail's Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) system on Vancouver's SkyTrain network

Commencement of Hitachi Rail's Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) system on Vancouver's SkyTrain network

The deployment of Metro Vancouver's first new Mark V train equipped with Hitachi Rail’s SelTrac™ Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology is a significant milestone in the region’s 10-Year Transportation Vision. This new train and technology integration mark a major upgrade to the automated SkyTrain system, enhancing passenger experience by reducing wait times and delays through real-time train location communication and driverless operation.

The Mark V trains use two sophisticated Vehicle On-Board Controllers (VOBCs) implementing the SelTrac CBTC system, developed in Canada. This technology provides continuous real-time data exchange between trains and signaling infrastructure, enabling tighter train spacing, safer operations, and seamless integration with existing infrastructure.

This deployment supports the significant expansion of the SkyTrain network, including major extensions like the Broadway Subway and Surrey Langley projects. The technology aims to provide an improved passenger experience, increase service frequency, and boost efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Ziad Rizk, managing director of urban rail signaling at Hitachi Rail, stated that the partnership with Metro Vancouver's transit system spans over 40 years. It began in 1986 with the introduction of SkyTrain, the world's first driverless train system. The technology aims to provide real-time information on train locations, ensuring a smoother and more predictable journey for passengers.

The fleet expansion is a key component of Metro Vancouver's 10-Year Transportation Vision. The technology installed on the new train communicates with the existing signaling system from Hitachi Rail, allowing the new trains to more seamlessly enter service as part of the network expansion. The SelTrac™ CBTC technology, developed by Hitachi Rail, provides the operational backbone for the Broadway Subway and Surrey Langley SkyTrain projects, as well as the entire SkyTrain network.

The new vehicles seamlessly integrate into service, reflecting collaborative efforts between TransLink, Hitachi Rail, and their valued partners. By deploying these advanced technologies, Metro Vancouver’s transit authority aims not only to modernize and expand capacity but also to boost efficiency and environmental sustainability as part of a decades-long commitment to innovation in public transit. This project represents the continuation of a partnership with Hitachi Rail that began with the world’s first driverless train system in 1986, demonstrating how cutting-edge, automated train control technology underpins the future of transit in the region.

[1] TransLink. (n.d.). SelTrac™ Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) System. Retrieved from https://www.translink.ca/en/about-us/our-projects/project-portfolio/skytrain-expansion/broadway-subway/technology

[2] Hitachi Rail. (n.d.). SelTrac™ CBTC. Retrieved from https://www.hitachirail-eu.com/products-and-solutions/urban-rail/signalling/seltrac-cbtc

[3] TransLink. (n.d.). 10-Year Vision. Retrieved from https://www.translink.ca/en/about-us/our-strategy/10-year-vision

[4] Metro Vancouver. (n.d.). 10-Year Vision for Transportation. Retrieved from https://www.metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/regional-growth-strategy/10-year-vision-for-transportation.aspx

1. The partnership between TransLink and Hitachi Rail, which began with the world’s first driverless train system in 1986, continues to advance technology in public transportation, as evidenced by the deployment of SelTrac™ CBTC technology on Metro Vancouver's new Mark V trains.
2. With the implementation of SelTrac™ CBTC technology in the SkyTrain's new vehicles, the system seamlessly integrates real-time data exchange between trains and signaling infrastructure, improving passenger experience, increasing service frequency, and boosting efficiency and environmental sustainability.
3. The deployment of Hitachi Rail's SelTrac™ CBTC technology serves as a cornerstone for major transportation projects in Metro Vancouver, such as the Broadway Subway and Surrey Langley, aimed at expanding the region's transportation industry and fostering technological innovation in finance and transportation.

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