Press release
Alcatel to provide Radio Communications-Based Train Control for the new
Washington Dulles Airport APM
Paris, July 7, 2004 – Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) announced today that it has executed
an agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America (MHI) to provide the automatic train
control solution for the new radio-based, driverless, automated people mover (APM) for
Washington’s Dulles International Airport. This project is part of the Metropolitan Washington
Airport Authority’s ambitious plan to expand the Capital city’s facilities in order to better serve the
travelling public.
Phase 1 of the construction consists of 2.16 miles of dual guideway that will connect the main
terminal with concourses A/B and C/D, through a secure, underground, rubber-tired APM system.
Revenue service of the Dulles Phase 1 line is scheduled for 2009.
Alcatel will deliver its proven SelTrac® S40 communications-based train control (CBTC) solution.
The system provides automatic train protection, operation and supervision, central control, and
employs spread-spectrum radio technology for data communication between trains and wayside,
which results in a simpler infrastructure. The solution for Dulles is similar to the one Alcatel is
implementing for the Las Vegas Monorail and for the MTR Penny’s Bay Link in Hong Kong.
“The Alcatel SelTrac train control system was selected for its ability to scale and to expand to
handle the increasing fleet and train size required for full line capacity. The solution is proven to
provide the 99.99% automatic train control system availability, flexible operation, and low
operating cost we were looking for," said Takashi Uneda, General Manager, Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries America.
John Brohm, President of Alcatel transport automation activities in the U.S. said: “The Dulles project
is a significant win for us as the system will be the fifth application of our radio CBTC solution. This
growing acceptance of our high performance train control solution is the best endorsement of the
value and proven nature of Alcatel’s SelTrac technology. We are very pleased to be working with
MHI, and pleased to have this opportunity to expand the application of our industry-leading train
control technology.”
SelTrac is recognised as the leading signaling and train control solution for reliable and high
performance urban rail transit, including optimized throughput and driverless operation
capabilities. Alcatel’s SelTrac CBTC systems are in commercial operation or are being implemented
on more than 500 kilometres of urban rail transit lines worldwide including Toronto, Vancouver,
San Francisco, Tampa, New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris, Kuala Lumpur, Wuhan and
Guangzhou.
About Alcatel Transport Automation Solutions
To meet the challenge of increased mobility, Alcatel offers a host of advanced urban rail transit solutions to move people
safely through the network in a confortable, reliable and cost-effective way. Drawing on broad international experience in
all aspects of transport automation, Alcatel is a leading worldwide supplier of train control, signaling, train routing,
control center and integrated rail communications technologies. For urban line operators, Alcatel's offering includes
proven SelTrac® communications-based train control, NetTrac MT network management, and LockTrac electronic
interlocking system solutions. For more information, visit us on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com/tas
About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for
delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or to their employees. Alcatel leverages its leading
position in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services to bring value to its customers in the
framework of a broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.5 billion in 2003, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com
Alcatel Press Contacts
Aurélie Boutin / Alcatel Headquarters
Florence Pontieux / Alcatel Headquarters
Tel :+ 33 (0)1 40 76 11 79
Tel :+ 33 (0)1 40 76 12 02
Aurelie.Boutin@alcatel.com
Florence.pontieux@alcatel.com
Alcatel Investor Relations
Pascal Bantegnie
Peter Campbell
Charlotte Laurent-Ottomane
Tel : +33 (0)1 40 76 52 20
Tel : +33 (0)1 40 76 13 11
Tel : +1 703 668 3571
Pascal.bantegnie@alcatel.com
Peter.campbell@alcatel.com
Charlotte.laurent-ottomane@alcatel.com