BTS stations crowded as signal system breaks down during rush-hour

[Mattd]

12 minutes ago, cat handler said:

Aren’t the signals an automatic signalling system connected by fibre optic cable, so when a train passes a signal that signal turns red and the previous signal clear to yellow? The only time train control would be involved would be at turnouts where he would operate the points and as far a seat I can see that would be at a terminal stations when the train crosses from the up track to the down track for the return movement. All intermediate signals operate automatically. 

From what can be gathered there is more to it than just the signalling, the system operates the trains as well, with the driver only being there for issues such as being seen now.

Quite interesting how it is done.

This is the one in use on the BTS: https://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/products-services/rail-control-solutions/mass-transit-solutions/cityflo-450.html

[DM07]

21 hours ago, NoMeAmes said:

The root cause for the congestion in these 2 areas, I believe, is the lack of possible stations to switch between lines or between BTS/MRT. If there were another possibility for people to change from Sukhumvit line to Silom line, say, at Ekamai, then the Siam crowd might get halved, or just simply less. The more possibilities, the less crowded Asok and Siam will be. This is how other countries have done it. They make it possible for passengers to switch trains at multiple stops, depending on their destinations. 

The problem is a lack of brain- power!

Otherwise, I have no idea, how Saphan Taksin has been built as the eye of a needle, it now is!

One train going in at a time, because the idiots didn't plan ahead for an extention across the river!

[Crossy]

14 minutes ago, cat handler said:

Aren’t the signals an automatic signalling system connected by fibre optic cable, so when a train passes a signal that signal turns red and the previous signal clear to yellow?

Not any longer, all the railways in Bangkok are full ATO (Automatic Train Operation), no wayside signals.

 

The "driver" sitting in the cab has little to do other than close the train doors, he only actually drives the train when the ATO is down and when in manual mode the headway is much, much longer.

[CLW]

Aren’t the signals an automatic signalling system connected by fibre optic cable, so when a train passes a signal that signal turns red and the previous signal clear to yellow? The only time train control would be involved would be at turnouts where he would operate the points and as far a seat I can see that would be at a terminal stations when the train crosses from the up track to the down track for the return movement. All intermediate signals operate automatically. 

Obviously they are not wired instead using a "open" frequency

[CLW]

From what can be gathered there is more to it than just the signalling, the system operates the trains as well, with the driver only being there for issues such as being seen now.
Quite interesting how it is done.
This is the one in use on the BTS: https://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/products-services/rail-control-solutions/mass-transit-solutions/cityflo-450.html

Thanks. Interesting post.
I thought they use some no name system for train control.
Then once more the question is, since Bombardier is a worldwide brand and the system has been installed at other locations. Have there been problems with interference from signals as well?
Or are they not using the 2300 MHz network?

[Just Weird]

20 hours ago, timendres said:

Not everyone can justify a pre-paid ticket. 

What?  How could anyone not justify buying a pre-paid ticket that guarantees no queueing for tickets?

[Crossy]

43 minutes ago, CLW said:

Have there been problems with interference from signals as well?

Yes, it's a global and worsening issue.

[Mattd]

38 minutes ago, CLW said:

Or are they not using the 2300 MHz network?

It seems that most CBTC systems use the 2,400MHz frequency, reading in to it there has been a lot of research in to changing this to 5,900MHz.

It may be that BTS are implementing changes to the frequency they use, hence the reports that whatever they are doing to eliminate interference will be implemented by the end of this year.

From what I can read there are several factors why there isn't a dedicated frequency for CBTC, one being that there are not that many systems in use worldwide, although where there are is usually in places of heavy saturation of the current frequency.

It seems that CBTC does tend to work better in tunnels as opposed to the open air.

[Mattd]

5 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

What?  How could anyone not justify buying a pre-paid ticket that guarantees no queueing for tickets?

The ones that use it once a month or less perhaps?

[timendres]

13 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

What?  How could anyone not justify buying a pre-paid ticket that guarantees no queueing for tickets?

The student who just visited from Buriram to look into internship with my company.

Single visit. Never comes to Bangkok. No desire to pay 100 baht for a card for one use.

Just one example.

[Mattd]

1 hour ago, Mattd said:

Would be pretty easy to confirm either way, turn off the tower and see what happens.

 

 

Actually, just thought about this, it would be a no win situation, turn it off and all of the delayed commuters using DTAC would be up in arms coz they couldn't browse Fayboo whilst waiting!!!

[mtls2005]

31 minutes ago, Mattd said:

ctually, just thought about this, it would be a no win situation, turn it off and all of the delayed commuters using DTAC would be up in arms

 

Meh. Win-Win.

 

Fallback to 850, or 1800, or 2100. Not really an issue, at least for a few days testing. Now come the end of Sep. a different issue.

 

 

[VocalNeal]

I think it was Reg's fault. ? He of compression tester fame.

[NoMeAmes]

Need an update for today. Is it still having "problems"?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

BTS was sending out LINE messages all Friday saying the system was running normally and on schedule.

 

I believe they also had a news conference that talked about the changes they're making to their signaling system and that had done the things they needed to do, for the time being, to keep the problem from re-occurring.

 

Stay tuned for Monday morning... ???

 

The latest update is here:

 

 

 

Edited June 29, 2018 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[balo]

Too many people are depending on the BTS.

Maybe better to go back to the public buses and experience a normal bus ride of 2 hours to get to your destination.

Or even better , quit your job and move out of Bangkok. 

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

BTS's announcement in English: