Mott MacDonald's railway specialists are serving as TfL's technical advisor for phase one of the strategic East London Line project Our technical engineering disciplines cover all aspects of railway systems (trackwork, signalling, telecom-munications, rolling stock, operations, safety assurance systems, mechanical and electrical, traction power, ergonomics) and infrastructure (tunnels, bridges, earthworks, stations, intermodal depots, marshalling yards).

We also specialise in applying advanced simulation techniques – using software designed in-house through our research and development programme – to develop enhanced solutions relating to passenger movement and fire and smoke behaviour, underground ventilation, train aerodynamics and traction power optimisation.

Our portfolio of current assignments in London includes:

East London Line

The East London Line Project is a key element of the TfL capital investment strategy. Phase one aims to create a new metro-style train service that will enhance the existing East London Line between New Cross Gate and Shoreditch, extend northwards on new and disused alignment to Dalston and provide four new stations plus provision for connection to the North London Line. In the south the train service will be extended on existing infrastructure to Crystal Palace and West Croydon.

Mott MacDonald is TfL’s technical advisor (TA3) on the project. In this role we are reviewing the current reference design and taking it through to preliminary design and approval in principle (part of GRIP stage 4). Thereafter we will be providing engineering support to Tfl during the procurement of the main works contract, through detailed design (by the contractor) to construction, commissioning and entry into passenger operation – scheduled for mid-2010. As well as replacing existing track, constructing the four stations and connecting up to the national network, the project involves refurbishing or replacing 21 bridges.

In addition we are supporting tender evaluation for rolling stock and our cost consultants in Franklin + Andrews are providing commercial management services, working closely with TfL as part of its project team.

Crossrail

Mott MacDonald has two major appointments from Cross London Rail Links – the 50/50 joint venture company between Transport for London (TfL) and the Department for Transport (DfT) leading the Crossrail project to build a new rail line across London, from Maidenhead to Shenfield and Abbey Wood.

In our role as one of the three multi-disciplinary consultants appointed so far on the scheme we have joined Crossrail's development team which is led by Bechtel, co-located at Crossrail's offices in Victoria and responsible for preparing an affordable reference design for the project, which will form the basis for construction, possible once the Crossrail Bill has received royal assent and become an Act. Our role focuses on Central Tunnels and Station East.

Mott MacDonald has also been awarded the Systems and Rolling Stock Technical Advisor contract for Crossrail. This contract is for engineering design consultants to undertake railway systems, rolling stock, mechanical and electrical design services. The support services will include the review of previous designs, using the Crossrail system and rolling stock study previously produced by Mott MacDonald. A key element is developing efficient systems integration as well as a robust cost strategy and programme that will ensure reliable project delivery and operation.

Transport Assessment Report

For Crossrail we completed a 650 page Transport Assessment Report in 2005 detailing our assessment of the traffic and transport impacts during the six-year construction period along the route from Paddington across central, inner and outer London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood. Impacts included those on vehicles, public transport, pedestrians, cyclists and mobility impaired persons. We developed the transport impact methodology and criteria. The report formed part of the Environmental Statement deposited with the Hybrid Bill submission in February 2005.

DLR Lewisham-Catford extension

We’ve been working on an outline feasibility study for a 3km extension to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) from the existing terminus at Lewisham to Catford.