Tube Lines is investing #600 million to upgrade the Jubilee and Northern Lines of the London Underground in the UK. In 2006 every Jubilee Line train will be extended in length to include a seventh car. The extra cars are being constructed at Alstom's Barcelona factory in Spain. Alcatel's SelTrac S40 signalling technology will be used to replace existing signalling systems on the Jubilee and Northern Lines. The proven reliability of the system was crucial in its selection. Extensive testing will be conducted to ensure that the system can function properly in narrow Victorian tunnels. A dedicated test facility was built at Highgate to analyse the performance of a prototype of the new loop-based signalling system with test trains running at up to 50 kph. The prototype is a form of Transmission Based Train Control (TBTC) technology. The principles of the TBTC and the associated control centre, wayside equipment and train equipment are described. The new system will improve service reliability.
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