Hitachi Rail CBTC: Taiwan Xidong-Keelung MRT Upgrade

Lire en français : Hitachi Rail déploie son système CBTC avancé pour le projet MRT Xidong-Keelung à Taiwan

Hitachi Rail Deploys Advanced CBTC System for Taiwan's Xidong-Keelung MRT Project

Japanese technology giant Hitachi Rail has been selected to provide cutting-edge technological solutions for Taiwan's Xizhi-Donghu (Xidong) - Nangang-Badu (Keelung) MRT project. This strategic 22-kilometer infrastructure will transform public transport connectivity between New Taipei and Keelung City.

Major Project Connecting Taiwan's Metropolitan Areas

The Xidong-Keelung MRT project represents a significant investment in improving Taiwanese urban mobility. With its 16 stations and capacity for 14 trains, this line seamlessly integrates with the existing Taipei-Keelung metropolitan system. Main contractor Gamuda works on behalf of the New Taipei City Government's Department of Rapid Transit Systems (NTCG DORTS).

This new railway infrastructure addresses growing sustainable mobility needs in the greater Taipei metropolitan area. Modern urban transport systems like this one significantly contribute to reducing traffic congestion and CO2 emissions.

SelTrac CBTC Technology: Innovation Serving Safety

Hitachi Rail's SelTrac Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system forms the technological core of the project. This wireless solution integrates several advanced features:

• Advanced communication systems for optimal train coordination
• Private cloud-based signaling and control ensuring centralized supervision
• Advanced telemetry and data analytics providing valuable insights into railway operations

This CBTC technology enables dynamic railway traffic management, optimizing train intervals and maximizing network capacity. Railway technological innovations of this type represent the future of urban guided transport.

ALVEA SCADA System: Intelligent Monitoring and Control

Alongside the CBTC, Hitachi Rail will deploy its SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system powered by the ALVEA platform. This supervision solution features remarkable technical characteristics:

ALVEA System Technical Features

• Modularity: flexible architecture adapting to specific needs
• Scalability: expansion capability according to future developments
• Maintainability: ease of intervention and updates
• Cloud readiness: edge-to-cloud data flow for seamless integration

The SCADA system monitors the entire railway infrastructure in real-time, from signaling to track equipment, ensuring safe and efficient operations.

Hitachi Rail's International Commitment

Cyrille BATAILLE, Chairman and CEO of Hitachi Rail Taipei, confirmed the company's commitment: "We are pleased to reaffirm our commitment to delivering high-quality solutions to the New Taipei City Government DORTS, in partnership with Gamuda."

This Taiwanese project is part of Hitachi Rail's global expansion dynamics. The company is multiplying international contracts:

Recent International Projects

• Turkey (June 24, 2025): Signaling systems for Kapikule Station
• Germany (June 2, 2025): Hamburg-Berlin line modernization with DB InfraGO
• Thailand (May 28, 2025): Automatic fare collection system for Bangkok
• Poland (May 20, 2025): ERTMS Level 2 on Warsaw-Radom line

Impact on Taiwanese Urban Development

The Xidong-Keelung MRT project will sustainably transform regional mobility. This modern infrastructure will foster local economic development and significantly reduce travel times between urban areas.

International railway projects like this one demonstrate the growing importance of sustainable transport solutions in contemporary urban planning.

Future Prospects

The integration of Hitachi Rail technologies into the Taiwanese network marks an important step toward public transport digitalization. The deployment of cloud-native solutions and intelligent control systems positions Taiwan as a technological leader in the Asian railway sector.

This achievement will contribute to improving the quality of life for residents of the greater Taipei metropolitan area, while strengthening the territory's economic attractiveness.

Photo: Lokseng01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons