Klang Valley MRT, Malaysia

Customer Challenge

In Kuala Lumpur, the Klang Valley MRT system forms the first part of the capital’s new integrated transport system. Line 1 begins from Sungai Buloh, located to the north-west of Kuala Lumpur, and runs through the city centre of Malaysia’s capital city before ending in Kajang, a fast developing town to the south-east of the city. When fully completed the three new lines of KVMRT will comprise more than 140 km of track. It will serve a corridor with an estimated population of 1.2 million people.

KVMRT desired a system that could attenuate for both noise and vibration isolation whilst retaining constant wheel/rail conformity. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, also working on the project, looked outward for a partner who could meet KVMRT requirements.

Pandrol Solution

Working in close partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to understand the railway requirements, Pandrol proposed their VIPA DRS fastening system for the mainline areas, while recommending the Vanguard system for the high attenuation areas.

The VIPA DRS offers low vertical stiffness and is ideally suited to applications where this level of track support resilience is required. It combines the proven technology of the Pandrol e-Clip in a baseplated system that offers adjustments and is easy to maintain.

In tandem with the delivery of the VIPA DRS is Pandrol’s Vanguard fastening system. The significant reduction of vibration and secondary noise makes it ideal for applications in the most sensitive areas to these environmental concerns. As this was the first deployment of the Vanguard in Malaysia, Pandrol supported the local team with on-site demonstrations on how to install and maintain the fastening system.

A version of Vanguard was designed which would retrofit onto the VIPA DRS baseplate while maintaining the same rail position and inclination. This means that in the future, if areas on the metro route become developed and the track needs to be upgraded to provide more protection, this can be done speedily, easily and economically.

The Result

Pandrol supplied approximately 320,000 VIPA DRS fasteners for Line1, and 130,000 metres of Conductor Rail across the KVMRT project. Train headways will be at 3.5 minute intervals and the line was fully completed and operational in 2017.

Speaking on Pandrol’s involvement on the project Mr. Ito, KVMRT Trackworks Project Manager from MHI said;

“Pandrol’s continued involvement and support on this fantastic project is greatly appreciated. The solution met the requirements presented by some significant challenges, where areas of track are subject to high vibration sensitivity and require a more innovative approach.”