AAi

Addis Ababa Institute of

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa University

Addis Ababa Institute of Technology
School of Electrical and Computer
Engineering,

Final Thesis Proposal

Automatic Railway Level Crossing
Gate Control System

No
.
1
2
3

Name
Lidya Assefa
Michael
G/egziabher
Mintesnot
Befekadu

ID

Stream

ETR/3559/
03
ETR/2358/
02
ETR/2387/
02

Submitted
By:

Control
Power
control

Advisor: Ato Dawit Habtu

March, 2014

Table of Content
1.Abstract..
1
2.Introduction and
background. 2
3.Statement of the
problem.4
4.Objective
4.1 General
objective
5
4.2 Specific
objective
.5
5.Motivation
...6
6.Methodology
..
..7
7.Scope
...8
8.Thesis/project plan s(Time Schedule)
9

9.Cost
breakdown
..10
10. References..
. 11

1. Abstract.
Electric power interruption and failure is one of the big difficulties in Ethiopia.
This project aims to avoid the effect of this problem on Addis Ababa EW & NS
(Phase I) Light Rail Transit Project. By designing a clean, undistorted power
supply from the power supply source to each substations of the LRT project.
Because when there is insufficient or no electrical power from the different
power supply sources of the LRT project, both Overhead Catenary system
and low voltage distribution system should not be vulnerable. The
methodology that is to be used to the accomplishment of the project will be
include literature reviewing, system modeling, proposing

solution,

simulation

and

prototype . Generally, the overall

objective of this thesis/project is to engage on the electrical and power

supply system starting form 15kv power supply arrangement and layout to
simple prototype hardware implementation of electrical driven train with
important features.

2. Introduction and background

The term light rail was coined in 1972 by the U.S. Urban Mass Transportation
Administration (UMTA; the precursor to the Federal Transit Administration) to
describe new streetcar transformations that were taking place in Europe and
the United States. In Germany the term Stadtbahn (to be distinguished from
S-Bahn, which stands for Stadtschnellbahn) was used to describe the
concept, and many in the UMTA wanted to adopt the direct translation, which
is city rail (the Norwegian term, bybane, means the same). However, the
UMTA finally adopted the term light rail instead.[7] Light in this context is
used in the sense of "intended for light loads and fast movement", rather
than referring to physical weight. The infrastructure investment is also
usually lighter than would be found for a heavy rail system. Light rail or light
rail transit (LRT) is typically an urban form of public transport using the same
rolling stock as a tramway, but operating primarily along exclusive rights of
way and having vehicles capable of operating as a single train or as multiple
units coupled together.
The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) has
unleashed the economy by issuing a free market policy in 1992. Following
the economic liberation policy, the government has earmarked a huge
proportion of the national budget towards improving the infrastructure
network of the country. One-of the successful sector programs in this
endeavor is the road sector development program which has successfully
covered planning periods starting from 1997.
In order to satisfy the demand of the economy for bulk transport services at
bare minimum cost and to be competitive in the international market, the
government has established Ethiopian Railway Corporation (ERC) by
Regulation Number 141/2007 of the Council of Ministers of FDRE. The
Government has given due attention to the expansion and provision of
2

reliable, affordable and environmentally friendly railway transport system in

the country. In compliance with this objective demand, ERC has identified
eight railway routes for study, design and subsequent implementation, with
the total length of 5060km.
The Addis Ababa E-W & N-S (phase I) Light Rail Transit Project was awarded
to CHINA RAILWAY GROUPLIMITED (CREC) (the Contractor) by the ETHIOPIAN
RAILWAY CORPORATION (ERC) (the Employer) with the date of signing of the
Contract Agreement on 3rd of September 2009.
SWEDISH NATIONAL ROAD CONSULTING AB (SweRoad) and Hifab in
Association with HEC (the Employers Representative) are carrying out the
Construction Supervision and Contract Administration of the EPC/Turnkey
project.
The total cost of the project is USD 475,000,000 (Four hundred seventy five
million USD) of which the 85% of the cost will be funded by loan from the
EXIM Bank of China and the 15% is covered by the Government of the
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. As per sub clause 14.2 of the
particular condition of the Contract, Down Payment that amounted 15% in
Ethiopian Birr has been paid to the Contractor up on provision of equivalent
guarantee for the same amount. The EPC/turnkey project has a completion
time of 3 years (1095 calendar days) period, having commencement date of
January 31st 2012 that makes the completion date January 30th 2015. The
project defect liability period will be one year.
The Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit(AA-LRT) Project is composed of such two
parts as the East-West Line and the North-South Line. The trains are
modern 70% low-floor trams. Primarily, ground lines are established, but in
some sections, elevated or underground lines are employed. The Project is a
semi-closed urban rail transit system. The LRT vehicles pass some
intersections in the form of level crossing. The signal system is designed on
the principle that the LRT vehicles shall pass intersections first.
3

The aim of this project is to come up with fully applicable power supply
system that starts from different power supply sources to Addis Ababa EW & NS
(Phase I) Light Rail Transit Project substations.

3. Statement of the problem

Addis Ababa EW & NS (Phase I) Light Rail Transit Project is the inspiration for
this thesis/project. This thesis focus on the power supply system from the
15kv power supply source to the Addis Ababa EW & NS (Phase I) Light Rail
Transit Project substations. For electrically driven locomotive (train) getting
continuous power supply is the first necessary and important aspect. But it is
known in our country there is high shortage and failure on electrical
power supply. So this project tries to solve this problem by providing well
designed power supply system that satisfies the need for sustainable,
redundant and continuous power supply.

4. Objective
4.1 General objective
The main objective of this project is to develop fully applicable power supply
system from EEP power supply sources to Addis Ababa EW & NS (Phase I)
Light Rail Transit Project substations.

4.2 Specific objective

To improve the overall reliability of LRT.
To minimize the cost by giving wise decision on the material types
used for the power supplying and wire distance selection mechanisms.
To ensure that adjacent substations should get power from different
power sources in order to avoid shortage and failure of electric power.
To design 15kv power supply distribution arrangement and layout.
To simulate the proposed model to investigate its behavior under
different operating condition.
To implement the prototype of the design of how the electrically driven
train is implemented by taking short distance as sample

5. Motivation
This project is to be found interesting because it touches the current
situation of the country and since it is the first project that our country is
encountering it is assumed to be applicable for other areas as well. This
railway electrification will avoid or minimize the shortage of transportation
system which is a current and a big issue talking in every broadcasting
system. Since the LRT project is important it is also known that the efficiency
and applicability of the power supply system is essential. So this project has
great role on implementing effective power supply system. The main reason
that motivates us to work on railway electrification system is observation
that we made by the time of our internship period.

6. Methodology
The lists of methodologies to be followed on the project are: Literature Reviewing: This includes reading books, journals and documents on related
areas.
System modeling: in the aspect of power system distribution.
Proposing Solution: a new design that will help our country in optimization of
different resource.
Simulation: The overall system simulation using applicable software.
Prototype: the overall system implementation using different equipment.

General Block Diagram

Power
source

EEP
substati
on

LRT
substati
on

OCS

Train

7. Scope
This thesis will be carried out with the help of analytical analysis and computer based simulation
of the system using appropriate software and up to implementing the prototype. The analytical
analysis and the computer based simulation will be done on the first semester and the
implementation of the prototype will be done on the second semester.

8. Thesis/project plan (Time

Schedule)
The table below shows the time schedule of this project from the starting to the
completion.

N
o

1
2

4
5
6

Activities

November
152322
30

17

Literature
review
Data collection
System
analysis and
proposing
solution
Documentation
Simulation
Final paper
preparation and
submission

Months
December
8162915
22
31

17

January
81615
22

2931

9. Cost Breakdown

No

Item Description

Cost
[Birr]

Paper, USB flash, CD-R & Stationary

1000.00

Print , photocopy and Binding

500.00

Internet and mobile card

500.00

Transportation

1000.00

Software for simulation

500.00

Total

3, 500.00

10

10.

References

[1] Addis Ababa E-W & N-S (phase I) Light Rail Transit Project designs
[2] Addis Ababa E-W & N-S (phase I) Light Rail Transit Project EPC Turnkey
Contract
[3] Addis Ababa E-W & N-S (phase I) Light Rail Transit specifications
[4] Yosef Tsegaye, Design and Implementation of Voltage Regulator for a
Single phase, 25 KV, 50 HZ AC Traction network in a single and double
track
[5] Light rail - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.html
[6] Various websites

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