Bilbao Metro relies on Thales for its two Control Centres

• The central Control station of Bilbao metro lines  will feature new functionalities and a back-up control centre will be built by Thales.
• The centre has been tailored to Bilbao’s unique network requirements and the structure of its lines
• It will include a specific module for real-time driver management, and new advanced Traffic Management functionalities

The Biscay Transport Consortium, will provide Metro Bilbao, with Thales technology to improve security of the current control centre where both of the city’s Metro lines are managed. To do so, a new back-up centre located at Talleres de Ariz in Basauri will also be built and shall be operational by end of 2019.

To address an ever evolving circumstance faced by urban mass transportation network and to prevent serious incidents, the control centre will be featured with new functionalities and a back-up control centre will be built at a separate location to ensure continuation of service in case of incident or failure.

Thales has been helping to manage the Bilbao Metro system for over two decades. As a result of this wealth of expertise, Thales has been able to take into account the specific traffic density conditions and passenger flow patterns of the network in the design of the new centre that is fully compatible with the central one. This will maximise the overall efficiency of the system.

Metro Bilbao’s Centralised Control Station has been equipped with Thales technology since 1995. From it, all the daily operations of the varying systems are monitored and managed. The centre includes four different areas of remote control: traffic, energy, fixed installations and communications. In contrast to other Control Centres, Bilbao integrates the majority of its subsystems into a shared software platform, providing them with a standardised interface, thereby constituting one of the most advanced solutions of this type.

It also includes a new driver management module which will expand current functionalities, such as driver shift planning and staff resource allocation. It will also help with supervision and real-time execution, allowing for conflict detection and the immediate notification of the operator.

In addition to the driver management module, new Traffic functionalities are also included. They have been developed specifically to address the unique nature of the city’s metro system which consists of lines 1 and 2 that merge into a single one. Known as the “Y” this complex intersection requires fine-tuned network planning, and sophisticated systems, which manage the integration of trains from the tributary lines merging into the main trunk, especially at peak times. New functionalities also include automatic train numbering monitoring of departure, major delays or emergency situations.

The progamme aims for a completion date within the next 2 years and the funds will be dedicated to replicate the essential functionalities that will enable a smooth running of the Metro.