• Systems JV (MTR/UGL) – design and build, test and commission of $1.3B package of works. This package includes the delivery of the trains, CBTC, controls and communications, low voltage power distribution and tunnel mechanical and electrical systems.
• Radio Communications subcontract to SJV – a design and commissioning (D&C) contract valued at approximately $70 million to provide wireless communication systems including radio rebroadcast and mobile phone rebroadcast.
• 20% shareholding in Metro Trains Sydney (MTS), the operations and maintenance (O&M) contractor for the line.

UGL was subcontracted by Systems JV to deliver the radio communications package that involved providing all wireless infrastructure for the new line including: 

• TETRA operation radio for the entire line
• mobile phone rebroadcast services in tunnel and stations
• P25 emergency services for the underground tunnel and station areas, and
• fibre back haul to support these services.

UGL self-performed all aspects of the design, construction and commissioning works including:

• TETRA operation radio for the entire line
• engineering management
• control centre installation
• installation and local tests
• network and systems design
• leaky feeder installation
• coverage testing
• radio coverage design
• Base Station installation
• site acceptance tests
• installation design
• tower and antenna install
• integrated tests.

UGL was responsible for the end-to-end delivery of all these systems including integration with the existing legacy systems of the Epping to Chatswood Rail Line (ECRL). The augmentation of the existing line posed many project challenges and UGL harmonised the design to manage competing operational, construction and schedule requirements. 

Following a systems engineering approach, our work included initial development of the System Requirement Specification which was used to engage the market and evaluate various technologies for use within the safety critical environment.

System engineering methods have been applied to all aspects of the design with attention being focused around the Systems Assurance activities including: 

• human factors 
• safety assurance 
• reliability management 
• requirements management 

UGL provided a compliant and efficient design solution for the radio systems. Key successes included:

• successfully designing, procuring, installing and testing 7 band MIMO Distributed Antenna Systems
• successfully coordinating and managing critical overseas equipment suppliers
• engineering and procuring HiRail vehicles for tunnel installation work which eliminated the risk of working at heights
• delivering the project ahead of schedule
• building up a competent and cohesive delivery team.