Alstom selects GMV for the Al-Ula tramway in Saudi Arabia
The multinational technology company GMV has been selected by Alstom, a company specialising in railway systems and rolling stock, to supply the automatic vehicle location system (AVLS) for the Al-Ula Experiential Tramway project in Saudi Arabia.
This innovative tram, inspired by the historic Hijaz railway, will immerse passengers in a cultural journey through the five historic districts of Al-Ula, combining cutting-edge technology and sustainable mobility in one of the country's most emblematic cultural sites.
This ambitious project will feature 20 state-of-the-art CITADIS trains running on a 22.4-kilometre line with 17 stations, connecting UNESCO-listed historical and heritage sites. This immersive experience offers a unique journey through the oasis and desert of Al-Ula, reflecting the rich history of past pilgrimages.
The system, based on GMV's SAE-R® solution, will be implemented on all trains, providing advanced rail traffic management and operation capabilities. This GMV solution is already in operation on RENFE's fleets and the Barcelona tramway in Spain, as well as on international operators such as Warsaw Tramways in Poland, TfNSW in Australia and ONCF in Morocco. This multi-application platform for rail traffic operations allows operators to comprehensively manage transport services, from service planning, real-time fleet monitoring and management, and passenger information to statistical analysis of recorded data.
GMV's AVLS system complements the traditional functions of this type of system, such as accurate train location, efficient management of driver and passenger messaging, passenger information on board and at stations, driver management and service regulation operations, with other advanced and innovative features, such as automatic route requests and continuous information for drivers to optimise energy consumption while driving.
AVLS system for the Al-Ula Experiential Tramway
SAE-R® will be functionally integrated with a wide range of external systems, both in the control centre (planner, passenger information at stops, integrated operation and control system (SiOC)/Smart City, etc.) and on board (Train Control and Management System (TCMS), passenger information, route request, Automatic Train Protection (ATP), Traction Power Supply (TPS) or passenger counting), ensuring efficient and safe operation.
The 20 trains of the Al-Ula Experiential Tramway will be equipped with on-board units designed and manufactured by GMV, as well as touchscreen monitors such as HMI (Human Machine Interface) for drivers. The solution is completed with the installation of a control centre ecosystem at the central facilities, with workstations for monitoring and analysing the operation by the transport network operator, both in real time and deferred, the latter being made available to external systems for calculating KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) relating to the operation of the system.
The AVLS system provided by GMV is designed to ensure maximum availability in the event of isolated component failures, as well as complying with current cybersecurity requirements.
GMV, provider of ITS solutions since 1994
GMV is a world leader in the design, development, implementation and deployment of intelligent transport systems (ITS) based on IoT, mobile communications and GNSS, with more than 1,000 clients in 35 countries on 5 continents. GMV's ITS solutions offer transport authorities and operators improvements in their services, reductions in operating costs and greater user satisfaction.
GMV has a significant presence in ITS systems for railways and tramways, with its own developments and leading clients among private and public operators such as RENFE, ONCF (Moroccan national railway), Barcelona Metro and Santiago Metro in Chile. It also collaborates with rolling stock manufacturers such as Alstom, CAF, Siemens, Stadler, Talgo and Pesa, reflecting its high level of commitment as a reliable technology partner in large railway projects.
GMV stands out for its rigorous compliance with strict industry standards and has references in all modes of rail transport: tram, light rail, heavy rail, commuter, regional, mainline, high-speed and freight.
