SAFETY AND SECURITY ON GAUTRAIN TO COMPARE TO THE WORLD'S BEST

Relying on the best international security technology, Gautrain will maintain the highest standards used by modern trains in Europe and America.

Safety and security will always remain a concern for South Africans and for this reason Gautrain will rely on several high tech systems to ensure piece of mind on all its buses, trains and stations.

Security interventions include:

• Over 650 closed circuit television cameras on trains and station precincts.
• Visible policing by Gautrain security officers and the SAPS Transport Police.
• Automated ticketing will only allow valid ticket holders to enter station precincts and trains.
• A 2,4 metre high security fence that will be regularly patrolled and maintained to prevent vandalism and unwanted entries along the entire rail track.
• Every movement will be monitored on-screen by staff situated at a high-tech central control centre. Should any suspicious activities be spotted near the Gautrain network, immediate action will be taken.
• The best in global security standards used in rail transport today through a high tech central control centre that will integrate safety and security systems. These include closed circuit television networks, security surveillance, automated ticketing, fibre optics, public address systems, passenger information displays, radio and wireless voice communication systems and communication with each station.

Safety systems include:

• A fully computerised rail signalling system will prevent train-to-train collisions, ensure safe movement at junctions or crossings and maintain safe following distances.
• Advanced technology known as an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system will monitor the trains’ top speed limit of 160 kilometres per hour as well as every lesser speed limitation, which will be pre-set for every single metre of track. Should the driver exceed the posted speed limit at any point by more than three kilometres per hour an alarm will sound in his cab. At more than six kilometres per hour above the posted speed limit the train’s service brakes will be automatically applied to slow the train to below the posted speed limit. It also has the ability to bring a train safely to a stop in the unlikely event that a driver is incapacitated.
• To ensure safety at higher speeds, Gautrain will use a wider track gauge known as ’Standard Gauge’. This is the track gauge in general use internationally. The current gauge used in South Africa is known as the Cape Gauge.
• In the case of accidents, security threats, power failures or other emergencies, alarm systems will register for the immediate despatching of the necessary safety, repair and rescue services.
• Direct communication with all the necessary authorities such as the South African Police Services and the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre.