10 Year Power Corridor Plan

Our Power team assisted Transport for New South Wales to future proof Sydney’s existing rail network for future generations.

Location

Sydney, Australia

Client

Transport for New South Wales

Project Status

Completed

With Sydney’s public transport patronage expected to significantly increase post-pandemic, our team was engaged by Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) to develop a Rail Power System Study for its 10 Year Power Corridor Plan rail power system study.

With a key focus on innovation, the WSP team explored various options to provide further savings, reduce risks and inform strategic asset investment and maintenance decisions. We undertook a holistic network analysis approach to consider the impacts and effects of each electrical asset upgrade on a line or area.

Our team engaged with key stakeholders early and captured key dependencies, modelling inputs and optioneering that helped the client achieve a cost effective and optimal deployment strategy.

The plan helped inform TfNSW’s decision making in rail power infrastructure, providing a 10-year vision of the medium term demands for the rail power network.

Powering Sydney’s Rail Network for the Future

WSP was engaged to develop the 10 Year Power Corridor Plan and provide engineering analysis for various electrical assets along the rail corridors, based on a set target of expected services increase over the 10-year period. By taking a Future Ready approach, the plan will enable proactive power scope planning, streamline existing processes, reduce risks and facilitate funding release for power upgrades.

As Transport agencies undertake infrastructure renewal and upgrades of existing traction systems to support increased power demands of new timetables, our team are helping clients navigate the complex challenges of power scope planning to mitigate risks and facilitate funding releases for power upgrades.

In February 2021, the NSW government announced an AUD1b investment to significantly increase capacity of Sydney’s train network. Hundreds of extra train services will run through Sydney’s Inner West and T8 Airport lines every week in the plan to increase peak-hour capacity by 80 per cent on parts of the city’s transport network by 2024.

Increased peak-hour capacity in 2024 by

80%