BergerWorld: 3rd Quarter 2005

The fabled city of Guangzhou, formerly Canton, has been a prosperous trading center and provincial capital since 111 BC. Currently, the city is home to more than six million people and is one of China's major manufacturing and commercial centers.

In 1989, China approved the construction of the Guangzhou Metro. By the end of 2010, the Metro will be 205 kilometers long with 7 lines servicing the entire city and the neighboring suburb of Foshan. The Berger Group was selected by the Guangzhou Metro Corporation to prepare feasibility studies and economic assessments for the development of Line 3.

The 35.7-kilometer Line 3 will be constructed in a 'Y' shape running from Guangzhou East Station to Nanhualu in Shiquao District with a branch line linking Tianhe Station to Tiyuxilu Station. The 6.95-kilometer branch line will include five stations and serve the South China Agriculture University and Tianhe Financial District, while the 28.75-kilometer main line's 13 stations will serve communities along the Pearl River.

As part of this $2 billion extension, the Berger Group conducted a thorough review of the proposed metro and the objectives for the extension. The Team then conducted field surveys, land use studies and alignment assesments, prepared detailed traffic forecasts and technical evaluations of the car clearance and train bloc ratios. To provide the Metro with the most advanced signaling and management systems, Berger specialists compared the signaling systems proposed for Line 3 with those on the existing sections of the Metro, as well as on other comparable transit lines.

The Team analyzed the proposed operations, centralized control systems and maintenance and repair needs and suggested the most appropriate technologies and procedures for the new line. In addition, Berger rail specialists prepared an assessment of rolling stock and other equipment, a detailed economic and financial analysis and a preliminary environmental assessment of the proposed line.

Shenzhen is China's Silicon Valley. With a booming high-tech economy manufacturing $65 billion dollars a year of computers, printers, copy machines and other products, this city is rapidly becoming one of China's most wealthy. In addition to its success as a global technology center, Shenzhen benefits from its warm climate, large and efficient port and proximity to Hong Kong.

As the city grows and prospers, the Shenzhen Metro Corporation is working to improve transit service. Currently, Lines 1 and 4 are open. Under the second phase, the network will be expanded within the greater Shenzhen area and provide links to Hong Kong.

The $1.8 billion dollar Phase II expansion project will include the extension of Line 1 12.2 kilometers westwards from Qiaochengdong Station to the Bao'an central business district. Eventually under a separate phase, this line will be expanded west to the Shenzhen International Airport. The project also provides an additional $1 billion for a 16-kilometer extension for Line 4, including seven underground and three elevated stations, ancillary facilities, a depot at Longhua town and a major electrical station to serve existing and planned residential communities in the area.

To assist in this massive expansion, the Berger Group conducted feasibility studies and prepared procurement documents for the proposed improvements. The Team reviewed previous studies, data and designs and undertook detailed operation and traffic demand studies. Based on these findings, specialists developed base trip matrices, established current modal shares, ridership and revenue models and forecasted future passenger demand and revenues. In addition to the connection to the mainline of the existing inter-city railway, Team members analyzed the attractiveness of interconnections with the future Lines 2 and 5 and their impact on system wide passenger demand. The Team also submitted recommendations for future expansion of the system, including the connection of Line 4 with other planned lines such as Lines 5 and 10.

With nearly 70 percent of the planned Line 1 alignment underground, there will be heavy construction along the corridor involving major tunneling and viaduct works, as well as the development of nine underground stations, three elevated stations and a depot. The Berger team reviewed the mainline alignment and the station locations and developed efficient station layouts and configurations to facilitate passenger movements. Transport specialists analyzed likely transfers to buses, taxis, ferries and other modes of transport and planned the location and configuration of metro stations to best meet these needs. Team members also evaluated safety and environmental concerns focusing on land utilization around metro facilities, as well as the overall environmental impact of the extension.

To ensure that the Metro had state-of-the-art technology commensurate with Shenzhen's role as a major technology center, Berger transit experts reviewed Shenzhen's existing Metro system and equipment and proposed mechanical and electrical systems for Phase II. The Team then identified new technologies that would enhance the overall system performance and suggested potential suppliers. Berger assisted the Shenzhen Metro Corporation in developing their tendering and bid evaluation procedures.