Alstom Boosts Lille Metro's Capacity and Efficiency with Urbalis Fluence

Alstom, a global leader in sustainable mobility, has announced a significant investment in the Lille metropolitan area's metro network. The company will supply fifteen additional metros equipped with the new Urbalis Fluence signalling and automated control system, further enhancing the network's capacity and efficiency. This strategic move aligns with Alstom's broader commitment to sustainable mobility and reducing the carbon footprint of transport solutions.

The Lille metro, which pioneered the VAL automatic light metro system, is once again at the forefront of technology with the introduction of Alstom's Urbalis Fluence. This innovative CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control) system offers several advantages that will significantly improve the metro network's performance.

Firstly, Urbalis Fluence enables direct train-to-train communication, allowing for shorter headways between trains. This means more trains can be deployed on the same track, increasing the network's capacity. In Lille, headways can be as short as 60 seconds, compared to the traditional 1-minute headways. This increased efficiency reduces the need for additional, energy-intensive infrastructure.

Secondly, the new CBTC system simplifies signalling by merging interlocking functions into a train-centric architecture. This simplification reduces the amount of lineside equipment by 20%, transferring interlocking functions to the train. This not only reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions but also lowers maintenance costs and reduces downtime.

Thirdly, Urbalis Fluence allows for even lower headways and 24-hour operational availability. This means the network can run more frequently and for longer hours, increasing its overall capacity and efficiency. This improved passenger experience can lead to increased ridership and further cost savings through higher revenue.

Alstom's investment in the Lille metro upgrade aligns with its broader strategy for sustainable mobility. The company is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of transport solutions and adopting climate-resilient and low-carbon strategies. The Lille metro upgrade is a concrete example of this commitment, as it reduces emissions and increases the efficiency of the metro system.

The Urbalis Fluence system is an innovative solution that merges interlocking functions into a train-centric architecture, enabling direct train-to-train communication and shorter headways. This innovation aligns with Alstom's strategy to pioneer smarter and greener mobility solutions.

In conclusion, Alstom's investment in the Lille metro upgrade with the new Urbalis Fluence system is a strategic move that enhances the network's capacity and efficiency. This upgrade aligns with Alstom's broader commitment to sustainable mobility and reducing the carbon footprint of transport solutions. By increasing the efficiency of the metro system and reducing energy consumption, the upgrade can help lower greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future for the Lille metropolitan area.