Renovating the M2 metro line

The article published in Intelligent Transport in 2005 (Comprehensive renovation of the Budapest M2 metro line) presented the east-west metro line, the justification of renovation, the road from the resolution to the decision, the technical contents of renovation in a professional breakdown and the work completed until 2005.

This article gives an overview of the results of the renovation achieved from 2003 until the end of 2006.

Summary of the completed sections:

• Track and insulation reconstruction of the section leading into the tunnel (between the Pillangó street and the Stadionok stations)
• Complex refurbishment of the line tunnel between the Stadionok and Southern Railway Terminal stations as well as of the Keleti Railway Terminal, the Blaha Lujza square, the Astoria, the Kossuth Lajos square, the Batthyány square, the Deák square, the Moszkva square and the Southern Railway Terminal stations
• The pro-rated parts of tasks under the technological tenders (safety systems, power supply, control system and telecommunications, special machinery).

Water insulation of underground structures

The insulation of the line tunnels was repaired in the upper 4.6m arc in order to eliminate the harmful effect of water dropping on the equipment, trains and track structures. Insulation was also repaired in the designated areas, where concentrated water streams had a direct damaging effect on the equipment installed in the tunnel.

Ground water leaking into the tunnel through the concrete track structure is collected and drained through the construction of a deep sump drainage system. A drainage pipe installed along the centreline of the track sunk down to the tunnel structure collects and drains away the ground water before it is pumped from the tunnel.

Side gutters are provided on the surface of the concrete track structure to collect the ground water seeping in through the sidewall, and then it is channelled in a controlled manner into the drainage and pumping system.

The insulation of the main ventilation structures and of the shafts and the anticorrosive protection of the related steel structures were repaired by the contractor in the periods before and after closing the service for the summer, with access from the surface, without using the tracks.

Architectural reconstruction of the stations

The stations were renewed by providing a ‘Budapest image’, which meant that photo montages depicting the notable buildings in the area of the stations on the surface were mounted on the painted steel sheet covers facing the platforms. A passenger information system matching the new architectural interior and new requirements was introduced.

Various fittings and appliances were installed in the framework of the station refurbishment (fans, cameras, loudspeakers, emergency and fire alarm points etc.). The ventilation systems, the drinking and fire water pipelines, the sewer drainage and pumping systems were replaced.

The lighting of stations and line tunnels was renewed, modern, energy conserving lamp fittings were mounted. The new lamp fittings are protected against the ingress of dirt, they have attractive aesthetic features and are easy to service. The sub-distributors directly connected to the auxiliary operation equipment were replaced.

Renovation also included the renewal, the replacement wherever required and polishing of the granite flooring of the passenger areas of the stations. The stonework of the sidewalls of the stations could not be reconditioned, white, fire-glazed steel sheet covers were mounted instead.

Arch-shaped drop ceiling replaced the earlier flat suspended ceiling. The frieze board along the joint of the drop-ceiling and the wall blends with the metro image, and partly integrates backlit passenger information elements.

Reconstruction of the railway tracks

In the course of the reconstruction started in 2003 the surface tracks were renewed, together with the water drainage works and the retrofitting of the power supply rails.

The reconstruction of the tracks in the tunnels started in 2004 and will be completed by December 31, 2007. Of the 17,920m long track designated for reconstruction 82% was completed, including the rebuilding of the 3rd rails, and the double track junction at the Southern Railway Terminal as well as the turnout track No. 5 at the Deák square were completed to 100%.

With the exception of some minor rescheduled tasks, reconstruction proceeds with the planned rate. The service downtimes scheduled are sufficient for the still remaining tasks, the works can be safely completed.

Power supply

The circuit breakers and protection devices were replaced in the 10kV switching equipment, which distribute the electricity received from the power supply company.

Microprocessor controlled protection and operating ‘field units’ were installed in the distribution equipment of the network supplying the traction power, which interface with the communication systems of the stations. Special shock prevention systems were installed in each station for the protection of the passengers.

The 0.4kV main distributors providing power for the various auxiliary service consumers (lighting, escalators, ventilation devices, pumps etc.) were fully replaced.

The control and monitoring systems of the power supply equipment were renewed. The remote control equipment to be installed are partly connected to the fibre optic cable network of the stations and partly to the fibre optic cable network running all along the line, to the power control centre. The formerly damaged fireproof crossing points will also be restored and new crossing points will also be provided to match the new equipment.

The progress of implementation is as scheduled, 80% of the systems to be renewed are completed.

Railway safety systems

Due to the coordination with the vehicle tender invited in 2005, the one-year trial operation of the safety systems and of the automatic train operation system will start a year later, on September 11, 2009 and will be completed accordingly on September 11, 2010.

Railway communication equipment

The following main functions will be implemented in the framework of the reconstruction of the railway communication systems:

• Video system (CCTV systems at the stations)
• Emergency call system
• Public address system at the stations
• Platform end and safety strip monitoring system
• Escalator monitoring and control system
• Ticket validating and ticket issuing control system
• Fire alarm system
• Operation of station entrance gates.

The large volume of information generated in the railway communication system is managed through the communication technological fibre optic cable network. The fibre optic cable network required will be established in a ring circuit structure.

The power supply remote control, the fire alarm, the data communications and signalling of the technical dispatcher will be managed by the telecommunication system to be installed.

Escalators

The seven escalators of small elevation height at the two ends of the passenger corridor at Deák square (M2-M3) were replaced. Eight modern escalators with 7m lifting height were installed and put into service in Q1 of 2005.

Special machinery

With the replacement of the main ventilation equipment the emergency heat and smoke exhaust was also achieved, in addition to the service ventilation of the entire line.

The jet fans ensure smoke-free escape routes and they were installed in the sloping shafts of the escalators (2 in each shaft).

For the efficient fire fighting water mist extinguisher system was installed in the stations and in the tunnel of the turnout track of the Southern Railway Terminal station in order to control the eventual fire. The areas of underground stations provided with water mist extinguisher systems:

• To fight fires of the trains arriving at the stations in both track areas
• Cable tunnels under the platform
• Spaces and motor room under escalators
• Dispatcher rooms of stations.

The complete machinery and equipment were installed in the stations between the Eastern Railway Terminal and the Southern Railway Terminal Stations (8 units) and their efficiency was proven by successful smoke tests with the participation of the competent authorities.

Rolling stock reconstruction

With regard to rolling stock reconstruction the Metropolitan General Meeting agreed to the replacement of the fleet of vehicles operating on the metro line M2.

The tender winner is the Budapest Metropolis Consortium (its members are Alstom Transport S.A. and GANZ Transelektro Transport Pte. Co.). The contract was signed on May 30, 2006. Matching to this contract the delivery schedule of the safety systems was modified.

Renovation of pedestrian passages

Integrated with the program of station refurbishment four pedestrian passages were also renovated, which covered the works as follows:

• Partial renovation of the side wall stonework
• Partial renovation of the stone flooring and of the stairs, with the replacement of the broken slabs
• Painting of the roof, partial repair of the roof insulation faults
• Renewal of lighting
• Repair and renewal of balustrade railings of stairs
• Cleaning and partial renewal of the water drainage system
• Replacement of doors and windows of the service areas.

Summary

The technical contents defined in the resolution of the Metropolitan General Meeting have so far been implemented, with the exception of the safety systems and the lifts, according to the plans (with regard to deadlines, quality and budget) proportionally to the schedule.

The stations of Örs vezér square and Pillangó street located over the ground and the subsurface Stadionok station will be reconstructed in 2007 together with the related technological equipment. With the exception of the safety systems related to vehicle procurement the project started in 2003 will be completed this year. n