
Integrated Train Testing Centre

The Integrated Train Testing Centre (ITTC) is a future railway testing facility in Tuas, Singapore. Constructed at the former site of the Raffles Country Club, the ITTC will allow testing of new rolling stocks and rail systems for the Singapore MRT system. The ITTC will be modelled on other similar railway testing centres in Germany, South Korea and Japan and will incorporate several green features in its design and operations.
First announced on 24 April 2019, construction of the facility began with a groundbreaking ceremony on 17 March 2021. The testing facility is expected to be completed in phases from 2022 to 2024. When fully operational, the ITTC will be the first such facility in Southeast Asia, featuring workshops, an operations control centre, an administration building and three types of tracks for safety tests.
History.
The ITTC was first announced by then transport minister Khaw Boon Wan on 24 April 2019. Hailing it as a "worthwhile investment" expected to cost a few hundred million dollars, Khaw explained that the ITTC will allow "robust" testing of new railway systems without the need to close off MRT lines. In addition, such a facility will allow deeper expertise in railway operations and maintenance.
Contract 190 for the design and construction of the ITTC was awarded to GS Engineering and Construction Corp (GS Engineering) on 17 April 2020 at a contract sum of S$639.5 million (US$ million). On 17 March 2021, construction of the ITTC began with a groundbreaking ceremony. The testing centre is to be constructed in two phases. The first phase, which includes the high-speed track, is targeted to be completed by the end of 2022 to allow testing of the new Circle line Stage 6 trains in 2023. The ITTC is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2024 with the completion of the two other test tracks and other facilities.
Description.
The ITTC will be constructed in Tuas, on the former site of the Raffles Country Club that was originally acquired for the now-cancelled Kuala Lumpur–Singapore high-speed rail. When completed by 2024, the ITTC will allow integrated systems testing for different trains and rail systems simultaneously, avoiding the need to utilise existing operational lines for testing. The testing facility, designed by the Korea Railroad Research Institute, will include an operations control centre, testing equipment and a rolling stock workshop. The ITTC will have of track that will be interoperable across various types of signalling systems and powered by both third-rail and overhead catenary. The tracks will include:
Intended to achieve the Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark Platinum certification, the ITTC is planned to be energy efficient with the use of LED lights, solar panels and a centralised cooling system. The various facilities within the ITTC will be connected via sheltered linkways and will feature bicycle parking to encourage walking and cycling within the compound.