More details - Punggol & Train configuration

Recently, we came across a video simulation of passenger movement at a future MRT station for the Cross Island Line (CRL) on a transport consultant's website. Vertix Asia Pacific (VertixAP) is a Singapore-based and home-grown transport consultancy firm that has extensive experience in the Asia Pacific region for transportation projects. 

Screenshot from pedestrian mircosimulation video by VertixAP showing CRL platforms.

Vertix was hired to conduct simulations of pedestrian (passenger) movements for a stretch of 6 stations along the CRL, which include 3 interchanges with either existing or future lines. When cross referenced with SAA Architect's personnel portfolios[1,2], this corresponds to Contract C1006  for CRL East (Package B).

The simulation shows the layout of what seems to be an interchange station. It can be seen that the green areas denote the free areas (non-paid areas). These areas include the concourse, underpasses and subways that connect to the ground level entrances. The blue areas denote the fare-paid areas, which includes the concourse (after the fare gates) and the platforms.

Screenshot from pedestrian mircosimulation video by VertixAP showing an interchange station. Green areas denote free or fare unpaid areas.

Screenshot from pedestrian mircosimulation video by VertixAP. Blue areas denote fare paid areas.

Screenshot from pedestrian mircosimulation video by VertixAP.

Based on the known design parameters, we can infer that the station in the simulation is Punggol interchange which connects to the North East Line (NEL). The existing NEL station platform is served by 2 elevators to the north and south concourses located at street level, and separated by Punggol Central. In an earlier published book, it was noted that Punggol station was built with a box for a future connection to the Northshore Line, which has presumably been made part of the CRL.[3]

The positions of the escalators to the lower level also line up with our expectations. Based on the layout, it would appear that the first level shown is Basement 1. This is where the NEL platforms lie in a north-south direction while the CRL concourse is perpendicular to it. As the NEL tracks are at this level, it explains why the CRL concourse cannot be connected to the NEL platform. Thus, this means that the CRL platforms will be located at Basement 2 level. The current NEL Punggol station serves Waterway Point and Punggol bus interchange primarily. In line with the plan to extend the reach of the stations geographically, it seems that the new subways runs lengthwise along Punggol Central before branching out futher to entrances along Punggol Place and Punggol Walk.

Screenshot from pedestrian mircosimulation video by VertixAP showing possible Punggol interchange footprint.

The simulation also gives us a glimpse of the trains at the CRL side platforms on basement 2. Considering that this video is meant to simulate passenger loading and movement, we assume that the modelling was fairly detailed. Based on this, it appears that the rolling stock for the CRL will be 8 cars long, with each having 5 doors a side similar to the trains on the upcoming Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). The 8-car train configuration is also verified from other sources. Typsa also mentions that the line's depot will be located in Changi.[4]

Screenshot from pedestrian mircosimulation video by VertixAP showing CRL stock with door count.

In summary, we understand that the CRL station at Punggol would likely use side platforms, the rolling stock will be 8-cars long with 5 doors per side, and that the depot will be located in Changi. Unfortunately, due to copyright issues we are unable to display the Vertix passenger movement simulation video here. Nonetheless, do feel free to head down to Vertix's website where you can view some of their other projects as well.


References:

1 Screenshot from SAA Architects personnel portfolio for Ms. Hong Fenglin.

2 Screenshot from SAA Architects personnel portfolio for Mr. Jeremy Aloysius.

3 An excerpt from the book North East Line: Getting There available for

loan at National Library Branches.

4 Details from Typsa group mention that the line will have 8-car trains and that the depot will be located in Changi.