Professional Documents
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08/19/2015
Following the statements released at the Edmonton City Council meeting on Monday night regarding
the updated status of the Thales-provided train control system and the role Thales has played in the
project, we wish to exercise our right of answer as well as provide a clear and balanced response.
Thales feels that it has been misrepresented and that there was misinformation concerning the Metro
Line issues. Here is what we have to say:
Concerning the safety issue, and despite repeated requests, Thales is still not in receipt of
an official copy of the Safety Audit report compiled by the Citys consultant. Thales has still not
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received a description of the operation planned for September 6 , the extent (if any) to which
the Thales system will be involved in that operation, or whether any of the parameters that
Thales has specified for safe operation will be followed or met. We have not been advised of
any actual safety issue or deficiency in either the design, the implementation, or in the Safety
Case for the system that we have provided. We therefore do not understand the Citys position
that the system is deemed unsafe when no such problem has actually been identified or
articulated.
In regards to the Line of Sight Operation that will be implemented on September 6 : as the
manner and method of this scheme have not been shared with us, nor have we received any
indication as to the extent our system will be involved in this operation, Thales is unable to
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endorse or support this service starting September 6 . The description provided to Council
fails to make clear whether any portion of the Thales system will be involved. If it is not, there
will be NO signal protection or enforcement within this totally manual operation. Safety relies
entirely on the Motorman. The consultant is described as having approved the Thales system
suitable for training but not passenger operation. One can wonder why the Thales system safe
enough for the train drivers, but not the traveling public, and why NO signal protection is better
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for the Public than the level of protection afforded the train operators during training. These
determinations cannot be made without any articulation of a safety problem with the Thales
system.
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If the use of the Thales system is contemplated starting September 6 (which still has to be
confirmed) with an imposed 25 kph speed limit, its important to understand that the speed
limitation will be entered into and enforced by the Thales system. The implication being then
that somehow the Thales system is safe at 25 kph, but not above. This displays a complete
lack of understanding of the Thales system. The speed is enforced the same way whether it is
25 kph or at the line speed.
Finally, the recommendation to open the Metro Line with this new scheme deemed safer could have
been made four months ago, when Thales handed the system over for operation.
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Thales wishes ETS all the best as it prepares for its Line of Sight operation starting the 6 of
September. We will provide the City with any needed support. And in the meantime, we will continue
to progress the work elements associated with the main contract.
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