The High Speed Rail System

in Korea

Transport
Project Story
 A SPECIFIC NEED

[ Improving travel for millions of Koreans

[ Korea chooses ALSTOM as project manager

Improving travel for millions of Koreans

South Korea’s new High Speed Rail system is relieving the economically-important Seoul-Busan
corridor of road congestion, offering citizens a comfortable, efficient means of travel.

Seventy percent of South Korea’s population Travel time reduced

lives along the Seoul-Busan corridor. to 2 hours 40
The Seoul region alone is home to 19
The new High Speed line covers 412 km,
million people. With their taste for travel,
much of it mountainous, and includes
it is not surprising that this is one of the
190 km of tunnels and 120 km of viaducts.
country’s busiest thoroughfares - and the
Contents most in need of improvement to ease road,
It is estimated that 120 million passengers
will use the line annually, making it
rail and air congestion. Today, the High
A specific need the busiest route in the world. Travel time
Speed Rail system is providing this relief,
between Busan and Seoul has been
Improving travel for millions p. 02 offering South Koreans a comfortable and
cut down to a mere 2 hours 40 minutes
of Koreans highly efficient means of travel.
from 4 hours 10 minutes.
Korea chooses ALSTOM p. 03 When the Seoul–Busan High Speed Line is
as project manager The Seoul-Busan corridor fully completed in 2008, travel time
The Seoul-Busan corridor is strategically will be reduced to 1 hour 56 minutes
Customized solutions important for the country: 75% of its Gross - twice as fast as traditional train and three
National Product is made here. times quicker than car. It will serve six cities
Systems integration p. 04 in all: Seoul, Cheonan, Daejeon, Daegu,
The corridor connects important cities
with TGV technology
Incheon and Busan, as well as ports and Gyeongju and Busan.
Technology transfer: p. 05 airports, and represents 65% of passenger
the first TGV exported traffic and 70% of freight. Keeping traffic
as a “system solution”
fluid along it is a top priority for the
Rolling stock: p. 06 government. Officials turned to rail
a proven track record for their solution, convinced by
the proven technology of High Speed.
Rolling stock: adapted p. 07
architecture and technology

Train control system p. 08

Overhead power lines p. 09

Maintenance services p. 10

Technical details

For experts: rolling stock p. 11

The Korea Train eXpress fleet circulates on High Speed

and traditional lines

ALSTOM Transport Project Story 2/12

 A SPECIFIC NEED

[ Improving travel for millions of Koreans

[ Korea chooses ALSTOM as project manager

Korea chooses ALSTOM as project manager

ALSTOM’s wide experience and high safety and reliability standards made it the clear
choice for managing Korea’s High Speed Rail project.

The Korean High Speed Rail Construction

Authority (KHRC) chose TGV* technology to
modernise its railways, signing a contract
with an ALSTOM and Eukorail-led
consortium for the supply of a high-speed
train network connecting Seoul to Busan.
The order includes 46 Korea Train eXpress
Key milestones
(KTX) trains, traffic control systems,
1994 Contract signature
catenary and maintenance services. As
1996 Partial disruption of civil project co-leaders, ALSTOM and Eukorail
works due to technical difficulties were responsible for the core system’s
1997 Roll out of the first KTX train design, engineering, manufacturing,
in France; Asian financial crisis installation, integration and commissioning.
1998 Re-definition of the project, Eukorail is a Korean-based subsidiary of
contract negotiations and a new ALSTOM, established in 1994 to manage
start Franco-Korean Consortiums for rail projects.
1999 First run of a KTX on the Who’s who in the KTX project?
test track in Korea
Customer:
2000 12 French trains delivered • during the construction phase: KHRC
in Korea; 300 kph achieved on - now called KRNA
the test track • for the revenue service phase, since
2001 Commissioning of the test January 2004: KNR - also called KORAIL
The first KTX train leaving France for Korea in 1998
track; Work begins on first
KTGV Consortium members:
Korean trains
• ALSTOM,
2002 Site Testing of the 12 first • Eukorail,
trains; Implementation of Fixed • CSEE Transport,
Equipment • Daewoo,
2003 Integration testing; • Hanjin,
Commissioning of Seoul – • Hyundai,
Daejon section • Iljin Electric,
2004 Revenue service begins: • LG Cable,
Seoul-Daegu / Busan & Seoul- • LG Industrial Systems,
Daejon / Mokpo • Rotem,
• Samsung Electronics,
2006 Warranty and
• Samsung SDS.
Maintenance; Contract completed
2008 Final section Seoul – Busan
added, completing the New High
Speed Line
*TGV IS A TRADEMARK OF THE SNCF

ALSTOM Transport Project Stor y 3/12

 CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS

[ Systems integration with TGV technology

[ Technology transfer: the first TGV exported as a

“system solution”

[ Rolling stock: a proven track record

[ Rolling stock: adapted architecture and technology

[ Train control system

[ Overhead power lines

Systems integration [ Maintenance services

with TGV technology

ALSTOM adapted France’s highly successful TGV technology to create
an integral High Speed Rail system in Korea and delivered it on time,
thanks to rigorous systems integration management.

With Eukorail, ALSTOM led 13 French each individual sub-system; management

and Korean companies known collectively and follow-up of the overall System
as “KTGVC,” the Korea TGV Consortium. configuration up to the Full System
A team dedicated to Systems engineering Commissioning. Also, management and
and commissioning was established approval of 600 engineering changes;
at the project’s inception. It followed the analysis of tests related to interfaces, with
project through to full systems 27 Systems integration tests carried out to
commissioning: ensuring compatibility ensure conformity with contractual
between consortium and non-consortium performances (such as headway, trip time,
sub-systems; defining the Project Safety energy consumption). The team also was Success in a multi-cultural
Policy and managing Consortium safety responsible for delivery of all safety environment
activities up to the delivery of the documentation necessary, including the From the start, the Korean High
Consortium Safety Case; and defining and overall Consortium Safety Case. Speed Rail project community had
managing a consistent Testing & clear goals: to establish true team
Commissioning Program from factory tests spirit in a motivating atmosphere,
up to Full System site integration tests, and to merge the large variety of
ensuring their completeness to provide the activities into a single project team.
customer with a fully operational system. Working together, ALSTOM
and its Korean subsidiary devised
Managing a multi-cultural staff over their strategy for an efficient
geographical, linguistic and cultural barriers organization capable of
was a major challenge for ALSTOM and functioning smoothly in the
Eukorail. Close collaboration between complex, bi-geographical context.
supplier and customer was the key to the A solid organization, rather than a
project’s success. The new TGV line – one of transient, single project approach,
the most complex in the world – meets the was created, along with the
highest safety and reliability standards for establishment of rapid and
major railway transport systems. ALSTOM experts explaining KHRC engineers immediate lines of communication
the principles of high speed
Full integration, testing and and records between Europe and
commissioning Korea. Records of all
communications were required,
Among the complex tasks required and Happy ending
which led to the installation of a
successfully fulfilled were: specification specialized electronic system for
There were very few technical
of 74 interfaces either between supplier record storage and retrieval.
interface problems raised during
sub-systems or between customer Language and cultural gaps were
the integration stage.
sub-systems; management of a Technical overcome thanks to international
baseline of more than 1500 technical The fully operational system, compliant with
flexibility, close support
documents from the customer to ensure a contract requirements, was delivered on-time.
and co-operation of Korean staff.
unique technical reference for the design of

ALSTOM Transport Project Story 4/12

 CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS

[ Systems integration with TGV technology

[ Technology transfer: the first TGV exported as a

“system solution”

[ Rolling stock: a proven track record

[ Rolling stock: adapted architecture and technology

[ Train control system

[ Overhead power lines

Technology transfer: [ Maintenance services

the first TGV exported

as a “system solution”
In 2002, following ALSTOM’s technology transfer, Korean manufacturers delivered their first
locally built KTX train.
The scope of the technology transfer that Of a total 46 trains, 34 were manufactured speed train documents: drawings,
ALSTOM provided to South Korea, now locally with technical assistance and specifications, manufacturing documents,
complete, covered rolling stock, catenary training, beginning in October 1998. All procedures, purchasing documents, and
and traffic control system manufacturing, trainsets underwent testing, under ALSTOM training documents. Then came the training
including the transfer of documents, and Eukorail responsibility, on the test of Korean engineers: more than 1200
technical training and support of Korean section of the Korean high-speed line and Koreans were trained in ALSTOM offices
engineers. In France, training covered detail have been officially accepted by KHRC. and factories in Europe. Even more were
drawing, process designing, alignment of assisted in local production in Korea by
Transferring knowledge
manufacturing facilities, key parts over 1000 French engineers. In all, the
and practices
manufacturing and testing, and quality process took place in 12 European factories
control. The technology transfer also The operation’s complexity was mainly due and 13 Korean sites.
included technical support from French to the high-technology content of the
engineers to Korean companies (plant products transferred. The technology
planning, production facility establishment, transfer began with transferring and
welding, manufacturing, assembly and tests). updating approximately 350,000 high

Quality in Korea: Eukorail certified

ISO 9001:2000
On December 19, 2003, Lloyd’s
Register Quality Assurance Korea
delivered ISO 9001:2000
Certification to Eukorail for its
Quality Management System.
The scope of audit was “Provision
of Consortium Leadership for
Railways Projects Management”.
This achievement is the result
of experience accumulated
with this major project and will
surely be an asset toward
further rail business in Korea.

Technology transfer, Korean and European engineers working together on-site

ALSTOM Transport Project Story 5/12

 CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS

[ Systems integration with TGV technology

[ Technology transfer: the first TGV exported as a

“system solution”

[ Rolling stock: a proven track record

[ Rolling stock: adapted architecture and technology

[ Train control system

[ Overhead power lines

Rolling stock: [ Maintenance services

a proven track record

In choosing TGV technology, Korea joins eight European countries where
over 500 ALSTOM-built TGV trains operate daily.

The Korean KTX high-speed train is the voltage Thalys TGV fleet leads Paris-Brussels Flexibility in terms of passenger capacity
newest member in a growing family of very travel, with 55% of the market. Transport and interior layout, as well as in traction and
high speed trains, all linked by their experts expect the KTX to absorb 40% of signalling equipment allows their adaptation
common TGV technology heritage, road traffic and 60% of plane traffic to the individual needs of international
developed with the SNCF, French national between the Seoul and Busan. networks. ALSTOM’s offer includes single or
railways. Its closest “cousin” is the Eurostar, multiple unit trains that can vary in capacity
which links Paris and London in little more from 200 to more than 1,100 passengers.
Speed, safety and comfort
than three hours. Eurostar, which is
After 22 years of operation, TGV trains
equipped with systems for three different The TGV has an unparalleled track record in
have travelled over 1.5 billion kilometres
voltage and signalling standards, is the terms of longevity and safety. All TGV trains
and transported over 1 billion passengers.
market leader for Paris – London travel with are based on an articulated design, allowing
a 65% share, as well as a 49 % share of the a broad and diversified range of models
Brussels-London market in 2003. The four- with the same degree of comfort and safety.

Articulated architecture: the key to

safety and comfort at high speed
In a traditional trainset, each car
rests on two bogies. The cars of a
TGV are articulated, or joined, by
“median” bogies, positioned
between two cars in the train. The
resulting reduction in the number of
bogies optimizes the use of power
and saves energy as well as
diminishes the overall weight of the
train and aerodynamic drag. Since
passengers are not seated above
the bogies, their comfort is
enhanced by a reduction in
vibration and noise. Stability is
another major benefit of
articulation, both in regular high-
speed operation and in emergency
situations. In the unlikely event of a
collision, the train cars stay
together and upright, thus ensuring
a protected environment for
passengers.

The TGV’s articulated trainset principle

ALSTOM Transport Project Story 6/12

 CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS

[ Systems integration with TGV technology

[ Technology transfer: the first TGV exported as a

“system solution”

[ Rolling stock: a proven track record

[ Rolling stock: adapted architecture and technology

[ Train control system

[ Overhead power lines

Rolling stock: adapted [ Maintenance services

architecture and technology

While their TGV technology was inspired by France’s “TGV reseau” fleet,
the KTX trains for the Korean High Speed Line differ from their French relations
in many more aspects than just their long “nose”.

Each train is 388 metres long, equalling the an integral fire detection system for best
Eurostar as the longest TGV trains in use. resistance to fire and clearance of smoke.
Each train can carry 935 passengers Passenger benefits include swivel seats in
(equalling the capacity of two Boeing 747s) first class, and a 4-channel audio system.
and weighs 700t. Unlike several European Passenger information is transmitted via
fleets, the KTX only requires a mono-voltage onboard video system: first class is
system, allowing it to have less roof-fitted equipped with four 16-inch, colour, ceiling-
equipment, such as pantographs. mounted video monitors, with two in second The KTX is…
class. With no bar or restaurant car, more The Korea High Speed train is
space is available for passenger seats. The comprised of two power cars, one
Key points of adaptation
trains have been designed to reinforce air at each end, with 18 articulated
The 20-vehicle KTX train has advanced sealing to limit passenger discomfort from trailers per trainset, and two
safety features including triple friction, rapid air pressure variations when trains motorized trailer coaches. Each
regenerative and rheostatic braking, and enter or exit tunnels at high speed. trainset is mounted on 17 trailer
bogies and 6 motor bogies.

System characteristics
Configuration:
PC + MT +16 IT + MT + PC
Maximum commercial speed:
300 km/h
Track gauge / Rail:
1435 mm / UIC 60
Power supply:
25 kV 60 Hz
Capacity:
935 seats (127 first class seats,
808 2nd class seats + 30 folding
seats in vestibules)

Swivel seats add to passenger comfort

ALSTOM Transport Project Story 7/12

 CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS

[ Systems integration with TGV technology

[ Technology transfer: the first TGV exported as a

“system solution”

[ Rolling stock: a proven track record

[ Rolling stock: adapted architecture and technology

[ Train control system

[ Overhead power lines

Train control system [ Maintenance services

Signaling is a key element of a railway system with respect to safety and traffic
performance. ALSTOM has proven its ability to provide this crucial element, in
coordination with French (CSEE) and Korean (LGIS, Samsung) Consortium members.

The Centralized Traffic Center (CTC) system Smoothing an awkward

supplied by ALSTOM with its Korean situation
partners enables the overall management
ALSTOM had to manage diplomatically as
and supervision of traffic on the High Speed
two groups in the Consortium are usually
Line sections in manual or automatic mode.
led by companies in competition with each
The CTC is associated with an interlocking
other. Thanks to a very structured
system provided by ALSTOM to ensure
Consortium management, the inevitable
a safe control and monitoring of routes,
obstacles and difficulties that occurred
point machines and signals all along the
during the course of the project were
High Speed Line; as well as an Automatic
resolved in a timely manner and benefiting
Train Control system (ATC) supplied by our
all parties, the client foremost.
French and Korean partners, designed to
transmit to the driver’s cab the maximum The signalling system was commissioned
authorized speed with respect to safety, and and operated with KTX three years prior to
monitor in safety the train's speed and the start of Revenue Service on the 60-km
position at all times. Together, these three section of High Speed Test Track in Korea,
sub-systems create a High Speed Train demonstrating very good availability. Centralized Traffic Control (CTC)
Control System capable of ensuring the and Interlocking
highest levels of safety. The CTC and Interlocking systems
supplied by ALSTOM and Korean
partners supervise train operations
along the line and in intermediate
stations. They organize the route
by monitoring the points machines
and signalling system in stations
and in terminals, for the
interlocking (IXL).
The CTC allows the automatic
management of train timetables.
It ensures connection to peripheral
sub-systems such as : clock system,
passenger information
and power management.

Centralized Traffic Control Centre

ALSTOM Transport Project Story 8/12

 CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS

[ Systems integration with TGV technology

[ Technology transfer: the first TGV exported as a

“system solution”

[ Rolling stock: a proven track record

[ Rolling stock: adapted architecture and technology

[ Train control system

[ Overhead power lines

Overhead power lines [ Maintenance services

ALSTOM's infrastructure expertise played a specific role

in creating Korea’s High Speed Rail system as project pilot
for the overhead catenary.

Specialized catenary on the dedicated High Speed line

The High Speed line’s overhead catenary It was an additional challenge for ALSTOM subcontractor training for installation, with
runs along 477 km of single track (133 km to transmit its know-how successfully. The “on the job training” provided by
in open route, 163 km in tunnels and 181 km company was able to fulfil its role as supervisors to installers, elaboration of
in viaducts). The contract awarded to the advisor and trainer, attributing its success to design, installation, inspection and tests
consortium includes the design, part of the the good relations and mutual confidence procedures, and elaboration of operation
supply (equipment, spare parts and specific existing it and the customer. and maintenance manuals.
tools) and supervision of installation,
ALSTOM's expertise in railway infrastructure
inspection, tests and commissioning of two
Transferring railway covers every phase of electrification projects
25 kV, 60 Hz overhead lines (by catenary
infrastructure technology (DC, AC, HSL), from design and
designed for 350 kph). In addition,
construction through testing, commissioning
ALSTOM provided two lines of 40-metre For the transfer of technology, client and
and maintenance. We also facilitate
removable catenary in the depot and client-subcontractors were trained for basic
a transfer of technology between a French
developed and provided a specific de-icing and detail design on the ALSTOM-specific
manufacturer and a local partner for
system adapted to the demanding weather Catenary Design Tool Software used on the
contact wire manufacturing.
conditions in Korea. project. Also provided was client and client-

ALSTOM Transport Project Story 9/12

 CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS

[ Systems integration with TGV technology

[ Technology transfer: the first TGV exported as a

“system solution”

[ Rolling stock: a proven track record

[ Rolling stock: adapted architecture and technology

[ Train control system

[ Overhead power lines

Maintenance services [ Maintenance services

ALSTOM is supervising maintenance of the High Speed Rail line

in Korea until 2006.

Within the associated services that it is The training of driving personnel includes
providing, ALSTOM is responsible for a train simulator, developed and
supplying a maintenance plan, manuals, provided by ALSTOM especially for
training and supervision. The maintenance this project. From 1996 to 2003,
plan describes in detail all functions and ALSTOM trained 174 Koreans trainers
organisation necessary to properly maintain and trainees during 660 weeks.
the work. The maintenance manuals - 622
Expert supervision
in all - cover the operation and maintenance
of each system and subsystem furnished (i.e. ALSTOM began supervising maintenance
rolling stock, catenary and train control). upon delivery of the system to the customer
Operation and maintenance training for and will continue for the next two years
rolling stock began in France after the following the start of revenue service
contract was signed. For organising and (2000 to 2006). The maintenance
conducting the first dynamic test on the first supervision services involve 130 men
KTX train in Korea, four drivers and 3 per year, providing many skills and
catenary maintenance employees, all expertise in various fields of activities. A KTX driving simulator
Korean, received special training in France for These are implemented in co-operation with ALSTOM provided a train
several weeks beginning in September 1999. SYSTRA/ SNCF. Their work also includes operations simulator in 1999 to
This training was finalized in Korea. the definition and management of spare train Korean KTX drivers. The
parts and specific maintenance tools. driving simulator puts the trainee in
a real-life situation by recreating
identically the driver compartment
that he will be using in the Korean
train. It reacts like a real train: the
simulator has dynamic
compartment movement with
quadraphonic equipment
reproducing the true sounds of a
driver’s cab, while computer
graphics represent the Seoul/Busan
line. An instructor manages the
system. It enables him to teach a
driver to deal with the different
situations involved in driving a
“TGV”-type train (routes, climate,
breakdowns, works, junctions).
Additionally, video screens
positioned outside the simulator
enable other trainees to follow their
colleague’s training while having
access to information from the train
Maintenance of the KTX fleet, the Goyang depot and the instructor.

ALSTOM Transport Project Story 10/12

 TECHNICAL DETAILS

[ For experts: rolling stock

For experts: Rolling Stock

Rolling stock technical characteristics

Schematic diagram of the KTX

Technical features

Carbody Carbody material Steel

Trainset modularity 46 trainsets (20-car trainset )
Capacity per car 935 seats ( 127 in first class and 808 in second class)
Dimensions Length: 388 m
Width: 2,904 m (maximum)
Weight 701 t (empty) /771 t (fully loaded)
Crashworthiness Protection for tunnel pressure waves
Bogie Axle load 17t
Suspension secondary pneumatic suspension on the coaches
Brakes Electric regenerative rheostatic brakes
Traction Type Electric traction equipment : 12 three-phase self commuting synchronous motors,
powered by thyristor current inverters
Dimensions - frame size : 660 mm * 660 mm
- frame length : 900 mm
- weight : 1555 kg
Cooling force ventilated (1.25 m^3/s)
Maximum speed 300 km/k
Catenary voltage 25 kV 60 Hz
Motor SM47 (standard: SMO ; voltage: 1500V, etc.)
Power - traction power : 1130 kW
- braking power : 663 kW
- rated power : 1130 kW
Performances Headway : 3mn
Others - max torque : 6900 Nm
- maxRP : 4000 RPM
- gear ratio : 2.189

ALSTOM Transport Project Story 11/12

 w w w. t r a n s p o r t . a l s t o m . c o m
w w w. t r a n s p o r t . a l s t o m . c o m / w o r l d c o n t a c t

Te l : + 3 3 ( 0 ) 1 4 1 6 6 9 0 0 0 - F a x : + 3 3 ( 0 ) 1 4 1 6 6 9 6 6 6
To f i n d t h e A L S T O M T r a n s p o r t c o n t a c t i n y o u r c o u n t r y, c o n s u l t :

A L S T O M T r a n s p o r t - 48 rue Albert Dhalenne - 93482 Saint Ouen Cedex - France

TRANS/PJTS/KTX_SOL/eng/TRANS/03.04/FR/5076 - ©ALSTOM 2004 – 389191982 RCS PARIS - CREATION : TRIBORD- PRINTED IN FRANCE, CHINA AND KOREA - PHOTOS: ALSTOM, D.DESJARDINS, KRNA, KORAIL & VICA - ALSTOM, THE LOGO ALSTOM AND THEIR FRAMEWORKS ARE TRADEMARKS AND
SERVICE TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS OF ALSTOM. THE OTHER NAMES MENTIONED, REGISTERED OR NOT, ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPANIES. TGV IS A TRADEMARK OF THE SNCF.