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Experts will conduct independent safety assessments at the design stage of the Go Expansion Railway upgrade
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LONDON – Ricardo Certification has been appointed as an independent safety assessor (ISA) for the upcoming transit of rail transit across Greater Toronto and the Hamilton Area (GTHA), Ontario, Canada.
As an ISA, Ricardo will independently verify the design of the program’s security documentation during design, ensuring that it fully complies with relevant standards. Performing these assessments at this early stage will reduce the risk of delays or costly repair work in the construction, installation and testing phases. The role was awarded by the Ontario government’s Crown Agency Metrolinx, which is responsible for Geo Transit, the regional network of rail and bus services at GTHA.
Richard Gibbon, Certification Director, Ricardo Certification, said: “We are delighted to be awarded this important security role for Metrolinux. It is a complex, versatile work program, new rolling stock, a new traction system and extensive infrastructure upgrades that must be designed to the highest safety standards. Using the experience of similar projects around the world, we will provide independent assessments to help ensure that safety is paramount in all key design steps. ”
GO Transit’s rail network consists of seven lines running outside Union Station in Toronto, served by an aging fleet powered by diesel locomotives. Infrastructural constraints have imposed a variable schedule across the network, leading to traffic peak rush hours. However, the number of rail passengers in Geo Transit has steadily increased in recent years: in 2020 the network was carrying more than 57 million passengers a year.
A rail upgrade program, ‘GO Expansion’, will provide a faster and more frequent service using modern electric powered rolling stock. The program includes new tracks, signaling and electrification of more than 650 kilometers. The result will be a significant increase from 3500 (2019) trains per week to over 10,000 services, with services operating at least every 15 minutes. The new fleet predicts a 50% reduction in operating costs per kilometer.
As an appointed ISA, Ricardo teams will support the program in the design phase to evaluate whether Metrolinux and ONxpress transportation partners have created relevant security documentation – including system definition, system security plan and security case – in full compliance with Canadian standards and pricing risk. EN50126, the international standard for the specification and display of reliability, availability, maintenance and safety (RAMS) for railway applications.
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Ricardo Certification has demonstrated its technical prowess to the Canadian National Accreditation Standards Council (SCC), being the first body to be recognized in ISO / IEC 17020: 2012 under Canada’s new independent safety assessor for the Railway System Accreditation Program.
Notes to editors:
Ricardo plc A world-class strategic, environmental and engineering consulting company listed on the London Stock Exchange. With over 100 years of engineer excellence and the hiring of nearly 3,000 employees in more than 20 countries, we deliver exceptional expertise in delivering innovative cross-sector sustainable results to support energy transfer and scarce resources, environmental services with safe and smart mobility. Our global team of consultants, environmental experts, engineers and scientists support our clients in solving the most complex and dynamic challenges to help us achieve a safer and more sustainable world. See www.ricardo.com.
Ricardo certification The Ricardo Group consists of a set of companies that provide independent assurance and testing services in the rail and other sectors. Companies within the Ricardo Certification are recognized against inspection and certification standards that enable them to offer recognized services in accordance with national and international regulations and approval procedures.
See the source version at businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220522005010/en/
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Media:
Andrew Fowlcos
Marketing Communications Manager
Ricardo Rail
Email: [email protected]
Catherine Bellamy
Group Senior Communications Manager
Ricardo plc
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +44 (0) 7921 941824
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