EGIP – Major Transport

Key Partner In Major Transport Project

Optilan deployed specialist services to help deliver one of the biggest infrastructure programmes in Scotland in recent years.

Background

EGIP is a comprehensive package of improvements to Scotland’s railway infrastructure. Delivered by Network Rail, its main elements have included modernising and upgrading key junctions and infrastructure as well as widespread electrification of the Scottish network.

Work was undertaken to electrify more than 150 route kilometres – which required significant track, signalling and telecoms works.

The Remit

Within the telecoms scope, Optilan was tasked with delivering the blown fibre (BF) network, which provided the backbone for a new VOIP telephony system and ‘infilled’ sections where no diverse fibre cable route existed.

The installed fibre network was to be used for telecoms, signalling and alarm purposes.

The Optilan Approach

Optilan developed a clear understanding of the bigger programme picture and planned methodically as it prepared to deliver the scope. Optilan professionals:

• Prepared the work schedule months in advance, factoring in the programme’s limited daily working window and the operations of other alliance partners. They timetabled access to areas where there would be least disruption to its work – whilst also ensuring the dependencies were in place to enable the delivery of the BF and return screening conductor (RSC)
• Performed duct installation work only once logistical complexities had been overcome and large-scale cable and duct drums had been safely set up on site; Optilan personnel planned the locations of cable pulling set-up positions to minimise unnecessary over-pulling of the cable
• Took careful account of future servicing and maintenance requirements. Among other measures, they assessed the cable joint and termination positions and included service loops, so that the duct and cables could be subsequently broken into and jointed/terminated.

The Result

The scope of works comprised the design consultancy, supply, install, test and commission of:

• 75km of blown fibre ducting to house
• 30km of 48 core blown fibre mini-cable
• 75km of 4 core blown fibre bundle
• Blowing fibre in to Boxes on Posts (BOPs), FTN-X nodes, stations, etc
• 75km of return screening conductor and termination on to spider plates.