24 JANUARY / 2024 / 13:06
In 2023, significant achievements were made in the application of digital and innovative technologies, particularly in the organization and regulation of movement, operational systems, infrastructure functionality, and security within the metro system. The year stood out for digital technological development in these areas.
The commissioning of the "Khojasan" station and, most importantly, the electric depot has accelerated the pace of these efforts. From the outset, when the conceptual development scheme was approved, based on the instructions of Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the implementation of the most modern systems in new lines was envisaged. During the design phase, the work was meticulously planned from the ground up for the application of modern SCADA for infrastructure management and CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control) systems for future train movement organization. This initiative was solidified during the First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva's official visit to France in 2019, where a contract was signed with Thales for equipping the Khojasan electric depot with modern systems, thus ensuring the depot's infrastructure was established on this basis.
The commissioning of the new depot also marks a significant step forward in establishing the functional operation of the line. In 2023, the latest systems, including the SAT system at the Khojasan electric depot's track sectors and at the entrances of the "Avtovagzal", "Memar Ajami", and "8 November" station tracks, were implemented to ensure the safe movement of trains. In this regard, schematic plans of the Purple Line and stations were digitized. The route and switch interdependency tables of the "Avtovagzal" and "8 November" stations were also established electronically. Changes were made in the equipment passporting at the beginning of the technical supply of the Purple Line.
Innovations have also changed the perspective on safety measures related to speed limits. Accordingly, speed control and regulation devices have been installed at the line's destinations and stations, and changes have been made to the principal scheme of automatic speed adjustment to meet the new organizational requirements. The "Khojasan" electric depot has been equipped with eight sound broadcasting devices and corresponding warning systems due to the commencement of work in the wagon repair workshop.
Significant organizational tasks include the application of the new version of SCADA software and network support for the integration of substations into these systems. Notably, the centralized dispatcher station of the line in the administrative building of the "Academy of Sciences" station has been refurbished and prepared for reorganization. The center located at the "Avtovagzal" station has been relocated here. Overall, efforts are ongoing to create a new unified dispatcher center equipped with the most modern digital systems.
In 2023, significant innovations were not only implemented on the Purple Line but also on other lines. A foundation for a major innovation was laid in digitizing the centralized control centers of the Baku metro stations. This will automate the management of the stations. In this context, successful trial tests were conducted at the "Ahmadli" station following the installation of the relevant equipment. The metro is on the verge of another innovation with the preparation for the application of new diagnostic devices for switch diagnostics. The application of a new modern type of tunnel passage control device at the "Narimanov", "Koroglu", "Academy of Sciences", "Nasimi", and "Memar Ajami" (Purple Line) stations represents another example of automation transition at these stations.
The implementation of new systems in the metro is crucial, and equally important is establishing their security and reliable software infrastructure. In this context, the formation and strengthening of an innovations and improvements team draws special attention. To maximize protection against threats, security processes have been coordinated, and optimization measures on servers have been implemented. Additionally, the system has ensured the reflection of standby FEP applications.
In 2023, the equipment passporting for the Red Line was carried out based on the respective changes. The replacement of incandescent lamps with modern LED heads in 47 traffic lights on the Red and Green Lines has been completed, with corresponding changes made to the electrical transfer in the electromechanical auto-stop of 2 traffic lights, representing another innovation in movement safety. The replacement of throttle-transformers with new generation equipment, vital for organizing movement in tunnels, has continued. The substitution of 38 modern-type, more powerful new throttle-transformers, in line with the demands of the new era, facilitates a more modern transmission of electrical energy that powers train traction. Additionally, parts of throttle-transformers in another 11 rail circuits have been reassembled. During the improvement works, changing the location of the route indicator of a traffic light on the "Nizami-28 May" residential route has provided a more appropriate approach to movement organization.
Among the important tasks in the passenger service area, changing the management schemes due to the expiry of normative terms for direction indicators at the "Ganjlik", "Narimanov", "Ulduz", “Darnagul”, "Memar Ajami", and “20 January” stations has prevented potential incongruities. In relation to the changes at the "Memar Ajami" and "Academy of Sciences" stations, adjustments were made to the relevant systems, and a new type of panel was installed at the centralization center. The effectiveness of these actions has been determined, and the works will continue.
In the newly reconstructed "Jafar Jabbarly-Khatai" apartment, the schematic of the main line on one path has been digitized. Measures related to the sudden braking of trains, which passengers sometimes experience, are also being enhanced in effectiveness. In this regard, to prevent situations referred to as the absence of speed in the rail circuits of the Red and Green lines, changes have been made to the principal schemes of the respective devices, making them electronic. The principal schemes of the inviting signals at the "Neftchilar" station have been fully digitized with changes. Soon, major repair and reconstruction works will begin on the branch roads of the "Hazi Aslanov" station. Related to this, changes in the cable plan and the implementation of electrification work will ensure that there are no problems with the organization of movement in the future. Generally, after the start of repairs here, a number of fundamental changes should be made in the organization of movement on the metro lines, and accordingly, the main preparatory measures related to the technical details of the train movement have been finalized.
The modernization and enhancement of communication systems, which play a crucial role in management systems for the metro, are of special importance. Equipment that has reached the end of its service life is being replaced with modern equivalents. In 2023, a new "Cascade-14(R)" type switch was implemented for selector communication at the "28 May" station. Additionally, in station and road apartments, 80 outdated telephone communication devices for switch and local communication have been replaced with modern type devices. Furthermore, modern communication devices have been installed in various areas of several stations.
At first glance, the organization of movement on the lines seems to be managed merely through periodic updates to schedules. However, in reality, sufficient local technical measures are being taken. Although the essence might not seem apparent, let's list some aspects:
- Throughout the year, 4500 relays and 600 SAT devices that have expired or are out of order, 1375 protectors, 125 obsolete jumper switches, and 52 special type batteries serving 52 relay systems in continuous duty stations have been replaced.
- Changes have been made to the assembly schemes of the "Darnagul" station alongside "Jafar Jabbarly".
- New feeder boards have been installed at the stations on the Red and Green lines, and at the "Narimanov" electric depot, with a scheme prepared based on an emergency relay for connecting the reserve 24 V DC voltage line coming from substations.
- Soldering of connecting elements in equipment along the lines has been renewed, and the quality of and the crimping of assembly conductors have been checked.
- Changes have been made and are continuing in the schemes related to the conformity of the installation and principal schemes of signaling, centralization, and blocking devices with working equipment.
- All parameters in the traffic lights and their relay circuits on the lines have been checked out of turn.
- Inertial or stuck auto-stops have been replaced at the "Hazi Aslanov" and "Neftchilar" stations, as well as at the "Narimanov" electric depot.
- The process of renewing the unified dispatcher electronic clock system in the electric substations continues. This work has been completed in substations at "Narimanov", "Koroglu", "Qara Qarayev", "Neftchilar", and the "Narimanov" electric depot.
- 8 additional waveguide isolators have been installed on one path at the "Icherisheher" station.
- Regarding cable management, 277 corroded cable metal constructions, 766 cable fastening elements have been replaced in station and road apartments, and 44,441 meters of new cable lines have been laid.
