Power and Data Cable Protection From Flexicon Helps Keeps Passengers Moving on Thameslink Upgrade
Linbrooke Services has specified and installed a flexible conduit system from Flexicon to protect power and data cabling for a new passenger signage system as part of the Thameslink high capacity infrastructure improvements.
The company installed the new signage system in St Pancras, City Thameslink, London Blackfriars and Farringdon. With the Thameslink route having 117 millions passengers per year, including several travelling to Gatwick or Luton airport with heavy luggage, maintaining throughput through the stations is vital for the service to meet its 24 trains per hour target.
The aim of the new system is to facilitate swift movement of passengers off and onto trains to minimise dwell time. It is vital in ensuring that people are on the right platform, at the right time and are standing in the right position. Any hesitancy by passengers can cause a backup leading to a bottleneck .
Typically there will be signage in every area of the station to direct passengers to the correct platform and then screens right along the length of the platform to help spread passengers out for a 12 carriage train. It is part of a real time prediction system that uses data from a number of sources to accurately predict the arrival of trains, which is used to analyse what this means to the overall train service at a station and then communicate this to passengers so that they can plan their journey.
Says John Ellison, senior engineer at Linbrooke Services: “Long term continuity of power and data to the signage system is vital to maintain the system’s integrity, so cable protection was a key consideration. Working on section 12 stations, the conduit system has to meet LUL approval and because the signage is designed to be clearly visible to the public, we also needed flexible conduit that is aesthetically pleasing to look at.”
The company selected Flexicon’s LFHUBRD metallic conduit, which has a galvanised steel core, extra low fire hazard coating and a stainless steel overbraid. It provides EMC screening for data cabling and with its high tensile strength, crush and abrasion resistance will resist any potential vandalism. Its stainless steel overbraid also makes the conduit visually attractive to the viewing public.
Concludes John Ellison: “After installing the conduit it really does look visually stunning and aesthetics are a vital part of this installation.”
Work on upgrading the stations to include the improved passenger information system is set to carry on over the next few months.
For further information about Flexicon’s extensive range of LUL approved flexible conduit systems contact: Flexicon Ltd, Roman Way, Coleshill, Birmingham. B46 1HG. Telephone 01675 466900. Email: flexiconsales@atkore.com
