RAILWAY & Transit
We have experts in railway systems, rolling stock, rail operations, asset management and infrastructure upgrade and renewal; many have previously worked for infrastructure controllers, operators, manufacturers or contractors. We understand the vital need for robust systems integration and assurance and can address these.
Examples of our services include alignment, track form, train control, signalling, telecommunications, rolling stock, operations, safety assurance systems, mechanical and electrical systems, traction power, overhead line, human factors and ergonomics, RAMS, fire engineering, tunnels, bridges, earthworks, stations, intermodal depots, materials handling and freight yards.
We also specialise in applying advanced simulation techniques – using software designed in-house through our research and development programme – to develop solutions relating to passenger movement and fire and smoke behaviour, underground ventilation, train aerodynamics and traction power optimisation. To suit customer requirements, we can also provide selective advisory, planning, expert witness and engineering services at any stage of a project’s development. We understand the criticality of system safety in railway projects and have detailed arrangements to ensure that we comprehensively address all client and industry requirements at all stages in a project’s development.
We also offer our customers full detailed design to support the design and build schemes and project and programme management services covering all the elements of railway systems and infrastructure as a whole – all geared towards helping customers provide their users with a comfortable, reliable, safe and efficient service operation.
Freight rail
Halkin Group’s rail team serves national and local governments, transport operators, industry, mining houses, utility providers, developers, contractors, commercial companies, banks, funding agencies and non-governmental organisations. We stay closely attuned to all our customers’ varying needs and aspirations, working in partnership to turn their ideas into reality through innovative and sustainable solutions.
We provide comprehensive consultancy services covering every facet of transport and civil engineering through the project and systems lifecycle, from concept to commissioning. Our portfolio of work has seen us involved in every development phase on projects ranging from multi-modal transport logistics solutions to heavy haul freight infrastructure projects.
We provide clients with all aspects of heavy haul rail capability from concept through to commissioning. Our extensive experience spans the development of all facets of rail freight engineering, from multi-modal networks and terminals o the design of new, dedicated rail freight networks.
Within our global transport business, we have a wealth of experienced and skilled professionals from which we can mobilise multidisciplinary teams tailored to providing a complete service. From engineering to project management; from individual consultancy commissions to an entire project; from a single inspection report to major new transport schemes; including concept, pre-feasibility, feasibility, detail design, procurement, construction supervision and commissioning – we undertake all aspects of heavy haul engineering and management through the project and systems lifecycles.
The requirements of our clients are the focus of our attention at all times in the planning and delivery of projects. We have many successful and long-term client relationships by maintaining this approach, in which no detail is too small.
We understand the importance of the integrated design of the entire freight transport corridor from origin to destination. To achieve this objective, as part of the design process, we also manage the interfaces between the railway, materials handling facilities and port, with knowledge of the related mining operations.
To provide holistic and robust integrated heavy haul transport solutions, we also utilise the experience of our maritime and port teams and mining capability to provide the necessary interfaces and infrastructure to support client export and import objectives.
Metro systems
From the outset, we work closely with our customers to deliver their specific policy and operational and business objectives. Our consultants have undertaken studies for both public and private sector clients to assess existing and proposed transport networks, optimising route alignments, advising on the feasibility and demand, revenue forecasting, and the economics and financing of such schemes.
We understand the interactions between transport and other facets of life. Our access to strategic land-use/transport models allows us to advise on the strategic effects of transport plans in terms of modal split and accessibility. We can model the operational results of transport plans at a network level and their impacts on air quality, noise, vibration and other aspects of a transport-related nuisance.
Metros are an everyday experience for millions of people in urban environments going about their working lives. All users, operators and passengers should feel comfortable during work or commuting. Through human factors studies, we can examine factors that affect performance and assess the potential impact on error and system risk.
We recognise the importance of making the travel experience as pleasant and stress-free as possible. Accordingly, much attention is given to such features as the architecture and retail facilities at stations, the ease of ticketing, and practical and up-to-date communications on train arrivals, including information on connections.
We have a proven track record in managing human factors issues from the beginning of a project through design, implementation and operation. We incorporate all aspects of the operator’s involvement, including allocation of function between operator and equipment, display and control system design, communications facilities, workplace layout, operator workload, and working environment conditions. Among our projects is a commission for the London Underground to address the psychological factors of staff and passengers in crowded underground stations and the flow of passengers that could be expected through stations and facilities.
Monorail
Monorail systems provide an elegant solution to elevated medium-capacity urban transport at a competitive price. The features in favour of monorail systems include:
Low-cost infrastructure
Eloquent and dedicated ‘right of way.’
Light to medium capacity
Simple station construction
Suitable for running in the road median
Ideal for windy and narrow city roads
Quiet operation and low vibration
Low-impact and lightweight guideway
Simple control systems for operations
Rapid construction in urban areas
Our consultants have provided several services on monorail projects, such as:
Feasibility studies
Technical advisory
Engineering consultancy
Construction supervision
Systems Integration
Independent checking
Independent assessment for testing and commissioning
Operation and maintenance
Railway operations
Our capability extends from specifying the operational requirements for new and existing railways to supporting clients with legacy and new technology systems. By taking a systems approach to the railway environment, we can help clients by delivering all their specific objectives, mitigating risks and ensuring value for money is achieved.
Examples of the services we offer are:
Application of railway legislation
Operational and occupational safety
Franchise bidder support
Resource planning, budgeting and business case
Passenger and freight service terminal development and operation
Train service planning, modelling and capacity utilisation
Infrastructure scheme evaluation
Train control system
Rolling stock specification and utilisation
Train service delivery
Train performance analysis and audit
Experienced operations line management support
Engineering design and performance improvement
We are uniquely placed to advise on tools such as ERTMS and TMS, having been commissioned to develop operating rules and training material for clients worldwide.
Our client-focused approach ensures we meet our client’s unique needs and expectations every time.
Rail systems
We provide the full range of skills necessary for the safe, successful and reliable operation of metro and rail schemes. Applying systems engineering is crucial to selecting the best processes through all project stages, which supports timely and cost-effective delivery.
As well as developing new systems, we help our clients modernise their existing installations to improve efficiency and capacity. Our engineers have extensive experience in top-functional, non-functional, and performance modelling and provide support in related disciplines such as reliability, availability and maintainability and human factors.
Our railway systems and safety assurance engineers provide a service fundamental to any rail project – to deliver an operable and maintainable design that meets its intended purpose. Systems assurance is an intrinsic part of systems engineering, ensuring that the project satisfies the requirements of the safety authorities. We recommend to our clients that this process commences as early as possible in the project to minimise unnecessary design work and reduce costs.
Our railway safety assurance professionals bring experience from many industries, enhancing their ability to deliver best practices. This extensive and practical experience in preparing various safety plans means we can identify and execute the necessary safety assurance activities to develop a safety case.
We have extensive experience in applying safety assurance and associated critical processes throughout the whole life of these complex and multidisciplinary projects.
Stations and lines
Our design experience encompasses stations on metro lines, the complications of providing interchange facilities between new and existing lines at established stations, and upgrading and refurbishing existing facilities.
Each design presents its own challenges, whether coordinating with adjacent land owners, constructing in densely-populated areas, or accommodating the movement of passenger flows and maintaining train operations while improving the existing layout.
The primary function of any station is to provide for passengers' safe and efficient movement between the public thoroughfares at ground level and the trains. Ideally, the design should combine good architecture and optimal function, satisfying the needs of passengers and station operations. Halkin Group provides the full range of structural, civil, mechanical and electrical design services for projects large and small.
Station design should consider all users; the simplicity of layout and clear signage provides smoother passenger movement whether platforms are elevated or below ground. We review the positioning of ticket offices and retail outlets, staff accommodation and system facilities, of stairs, escalators and ticket barriers in developing circulation routes for safe and free movement during all operating conditions. Our commissions include safety studies of ticketing arrangements of underground stations, which embraced the design, construction, maintenance and repair of the gates and ticketing machines and included the training of staff, control centre arrangements, and the positions of machines and gates within the station concourses.