Communicating success

Firstco’s Mark Calnan looks at the importance of integrating station control and communications systems.

Mark Calnan is a Chartered Engineer and co-founder of Firstco Ltd. He is currently the firm’s Chairman with particular executive responsibility for business development and client relationships. Calnan has over 20 years’ experience in systems design, project management and commissioning. Much of his experience has been gained in large multi-disciplinary integrated transport projects, particularly involving controls and communications systems – taking design concept through to completed installation.

EUI. What are the key issues facing rail or transport operators today in terms of their control and communications systems?
MC. There are several principal issues. For example, with the increased threat from terrorism, transport operators need to demonstrate vigilance to the travelling public while allowing life to appear normal as people go about their business. These systems need to be upgraded to allow the security services access to relevant high quality CCTV images and other data quickly, without being unnecessarily intrusive or disruptive. In this instance, future requirements will demand better integration from different system suppliers and faster remote accessibility for this type of information to allow for better anticipation and prevention of threats.

EUI. Why is the consideration of such station systems early on in the station design process a critical part of the project?
MC. Time and time again, infrastructure projects are set back because not enough effort has been made, early enough, to understand how the owner/operator actually wants to use the station or terminal. It is understandable why this happens, as the greatest proportion of budget in a large project is inevitably spent on concrete, steel and manpower. Systems are often thought of too late or are dramatically under-funded because the budget has overrun. This sometimes means the most ambitious and attractive architectural venture can be undermined through poor systems design and integration. The issue can often take years to put right.

EUI. How does employing the services of a systems integrator provide clients with a seamless operation?
MC. It is critical that systems and the intended use of the airport terminal or rail station are considered at the outset. Their role in making the structure work as required by the owner/operator will influence the passenger/consumer experience of using it; if the reaction is negative, it can potentially drive custom away. Working together with other parts of the project team from its conception can, in Firstco’s experience, reduce this risk considerably.

EUI. One of the features in this issue of EU Infrastructure looks at the development of Heathrow’s new T5 project – a project Firstco has been involved in. What was your input?
MC. Firstco has been involved in two key aspects of the T5 project from the outset. Firstly, working as part of a multidisciplinary team, it has fulfilled key guidance and leadership roles in the development and interfacing of different systems in the airport terminal and the airside road tunnel. Secondly, it migrated from a guidance role in establishing the requirements of the Heathrow Express and Piccadilly Line rail stations to delivering the design, commissioning and integration of the non-rail station and tunnel systems into the existing Heathrow Express rail operation. Implementation has gone well and we believe that through its use of value assured engineering we have saved BAA, the project’s client, approximately 20 percent of its systems budget for the rail stations.

EUI. Have you been involved in any other interesting schemes recently? What challenges have these projects presented?
MC. The other exciting project that Firstco has been involved in over the last two years has been working with Mott Macdonald to deliver the initial functional designs and cost estimates for the station systems that may populate the proposed Cross London Rail Link. If this is given the go-ahead by UK Parliament early in 2008, it is planned to open in 2015. Over the last 18 months, due to client demand, the company has also opened offices in Dubai and Mauritius, where it is replicating its UK service offering.

EUI. What additional considerations need to be factored in where rail meets airports?
MC. Firstco’s experience in this area has primarily been with BAA at Heathrow. Before the T5 project there were many station and security systems that needed to interface with the airport’s control room and vice versa. For example, incident management needed to be integrated and communication between airport and rail operators needed to be efficient, secure and reliable. T5 was given the construction go-ahead on the basis that it would be an integrated transport hub, not just an airport with a rail station. This has meant many innovations in terms of communications and control systems, such as the provision of flight and train information, CCTV, PA, etc.