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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhy did the Joo Koon train collision go to therapy? It had a lot of "crash" issues.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Joo Koon train collision
Photograph of the collision
Map
Details
Date15 November 2017; 8 years ago (2017-11-15)
approximately 8.30 a.m. (SST)
LocationJoo Koon MRT station
Coordinates1°19′39.86″N 103°40′42.55″E / 1.3277389°N 103.6784861°E / 1.3277389; 103.6784861
CountrySingapore
LineEast–West Line
OperatorSMRT Trains Ltd (SMRT Corporation)
Incident typeTrain collision
CauseDisabling of a protective bubble due to faulty track circuit
Statistics
Trains2
Passengers517[1]
Deaths0
Injured38 (including 2 crew)[2]

On 15 November 2017, a moving Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train collided with a stationary train at Joo Koon station on the East–West Line (EWL), resulting in 38 injuries. The collision was caused by a signalling fault that disabled the stationary train's protective systems, allowing the second train to approach without detecting it properly when the stationary train was being detrained.

At the time, the EWL was transitioning from fixed block signalling to communications-based train control (CBTC), requiring both systems to operate concurrently. The collision was the second involving two MRT trains after the Clementi rail accident in 1993. Following the incident, the Tuas West Extension (from Gul Circle to Tuas Link) was separated from the EWL to reduce operational complexity, while resignalling works were accelerated before the EWL fully transitioned to CBTC in May 2018.

Background

[edit]

Joo Koon station was constructed as part of the East–West Line (EWL) Boon Lay Extension, which opened on 28 February 2009.[3][4] The EWL is operated by SMRT Trains.[5] The signalling systems on the EWL and the North–South Line (NSL) were being upgraded from fixed block signalling to communications based train control (CBTC) to allow shorter train intervals while maintaining operational safety.[6] The project was awarded to Thales Solutions Asia Pte Ltd for S$195 million.[7] The new signalling system was first tested and installed on the NSL in May 2017, which resulted in signalling faults and rush-hour delays in June. A software update was expected to address the glitches.[8]

The Tuas West Extension (TWE), which comprises the EWL segment from Gul Circle to Tuas Link, opened on 18 June 2017 and operates on the new signalling system.[6][9][10] The installation of the new signalling system on the entire EWL was expected to be completed by 2018.[6] Trains would transition between the legacy system and the new CBTC system on the TWE at Pioneer station.[11] At the time of the incident, the new CBTC system between Pasir Ris and Pioneer was operating in a passive data-collection mode.[12] Khaw had intended for a "seamless link" between Pasir Ris and Tuas Link.[13]

Incident

[edit]
A train departing Joo Koon station. Half-height platform screen doors protect the commuters from the tracks and trains
The westbound platform of Joo Koon station, where the incident took place

At about 8:18 a.m. Singapore Time on 15 November 2017, a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train bound for Tuas Link stalled at Joo Koon station.[14] Due to an anomaly in the train signalling system, the passengers of the stalled train had to disembark.[15] After the train unloaded its passengers, a second train, which stopped 36 m (118 ft) behind it,[12][16] subsequently moved forward and collided with the stalled train.[14][15][a] The second train had 517 passengers.[1][18] A witness on the affected train said that about 70 per cent of passengers, including himself, were thrown to the floor by the sudden stop.[19] Other witnesses reported screaming, vomiting and crying following the collision. While there was initial panic, the passengers subsequently began comforting and assisting one another. A commuter who had alighted from the stationary train described hearing a loud bang that sounded like a car accident.[20]

The train remained stationary for 20 minutes, during which passengers asked SMRT staff to open the doors of the first carriage to allow them onto the platform. However, this was not possible as all the doors would have to be opened. Passengers were subsequently evacuated through the driver's cabin.[19] Twenty-nine people, including the train captain, were injured in the collision. One passenger fainted due to low blood sugar, while another sustained a facial injury and a broken tooth.[1] The injured were taken to Ng Teng Fong Hospital and National University Hospital.[14] On 19 November, the number of reported injuries from the incident rose to 38.[21][2]

SMRT Trains initially reported a 20-minute delay on the EWL between Jurong East and Joo Koon at 8:25 a.m., citing a train fault at Joo Koon.[14][22] The Singapore Civil Defence Force was alerted at 8:33 a.m.[22] SMRT extended the estimated delay to 30 minutes at 8:37 a.m. and later announced at 9:26 a.m. that the disruption affected services between Queenstown and Tuas Link. SMRT and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed the incident in a joint statement at 11:12 a.m.[14] At 2 p.m., SMRT announced the suspension of train services between Joo Koon and Tuas Link to allow the removal of the affected trains.[17] Free regular bus and bridging bus services were offered between the two stations.[23] One train was towed towards Tuas Link station, while the other moved away at 4:06 p.m.[14] At 5:15 p.m., SMRT said services between Boon Lay and Tuas Link had resumed at reduced speed.[23][22] By 5:45 p.m., commuters were advised to seek alternative transport or allow an additional 25 minutes when travelling on the NSL, with free bridging buses operating between Bishan and Yishun.[23] About 12,930 passengers were affected by the disruption.[24] This was the second train collision on the Singapore MRT system, with the first being the Clementi rail accident in 1993.[25]

Reactions

[edit]

The Ministry of Transport, LTA and SMRT pledged to assist the injured passengers, including those seeking medical help later.[23] Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan described the incident as an "awful day", apologising for the disruption and injuries sustained by commuters.[26] When asked whether the collision, which followed the Bishan tunnel flooding in October, had undermined public confidence in the MRT system, Khaw said that commuters would be upset and that he was "equally upset".[27][28] Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam said that the train incidents had "sorely tested the public mood" but expressed confidence that Khaw was able to "sort things out".[29] Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also acknowledged on 19 November that the tunnel flooding and the train collision have "hurt public confidence a lot". He reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving Singapore's public transport and called for the incidents to be investigated thoroughly, with lessons drawn and their underlying causes addressed.[30] On 21 November, Thales apologised for the incident and said it would take "full responsibility" for its part in the collision, while assuring the safety and security of its CBTC system.[31]

The Workers' Party called for a thorough investigation into the incident, saying that it reflected "a failure of the systems that ought to prevent such an event". The Singapore Democratic Party called for Khaw's resignation as Transport Minister, claiming that the collision exposed "a systemic failure" in management led by Khaw.[32] Readers of Channel NewsAsia and The Straits Times reporter Christopher Tan criticised the authorities' earlier description of the collision as the trains having "come into contact", arguing that the phrase downplayed the severity of the incident.[33][34] LTA later described the incident as a "collision".[33] Various memes had also emerged on the incident, some criticising SMRT and its senior management.[35]

Investigations

[edit]

Transport experts described the collision as a serious incident and called for the root cause to be identified. Assistant Professor Andrew Ng from the Singapore Institute of Technology suggested that a signalling software bug could have caused the second train to receive an incorrect command or fail to detect the first train, while noting that trains require some distance to stop. Lawrence Loh of the National University of Singapore expressed concern for the injuries and called for a "bold relook" to resolve the MRT disruptions.[36]

At a joint press conference on 15 November, LTA, SMRT and Thales said the first train's software protection feature had been "inadvertently removed" when it passed a faulty signalling circuit.[37] The train subsequently transmitted a three-car train profile to the new signalling system instead of its actual six-car profile.[38] The software bug had previously been identified during tests when communications between onboard computers on a train were interrupted.[37] Khaw advised SMRT and LTA to suspend train services on the TWE to allow thorough inspections by Thales, noting that this was the first major incident involving the new signalling system.[26] He added he was "disturbed" by the initial findings that a defective trackside device could disable "critical safety software".[39][40]

On 16 November, LTA and SMRT decided the TWE would operate separately from the rest of the EWL for a month to allow further checks. Thales also confirmed that both the old and new signalling systems were safe for operations. TWE services were to remain suspended until 19 November.[39] Free bus bridging services were deployed during the suspension, while the two-minute train frequencies on the NSL and EWL were lengthened to three minutes.[41]

A subsequent finding released on 21 November found that the first train encountered an anomaly with its onboard CBTC equipment while travelling eastward from Ulu Pandan Depot, disabling one of the protective "bubbles" used to maintain a safe distance between trains. A second protective bubble, which should have replaced it, was removed when the train passed a trackside device at Clementi station.[12][b] The anomaly was detected at Pioneer station, and the train captain reported it to the Operations Control Centre.[16] The train was driven manually to Joo Koon station, where the platform screen doors were opened manually to unload passengers and prevent other trains from entering.[12] However, closing the doors removed the "closed track" protection. This allowed the second train, which was operating automatically, to move forward because it did not detect a protective bubble around the first train, resulting in the collision.[16] SMRT highlighted that the 10-second window prior to impact was insufficient for the driver of the second train to react manually.[12]

The LTA completed its investigations on 18 December, which were consistent with the findings presented on 21 November.[43][44] When the train crossed the faulty trackside device, the CBTC system registered it as continuously "moving" and failed to propagate the protective bubble. Further tests by Thales found that the CBTC system would have correctly handled the condition and propagated the bubble if it had been operating in active mode at the affected track point. The track point was fixed on 16 November.[45] Christopher Tan nevertheless questioned SMRT's handling of the incident, particularly its decision to keep the first train in automatic mode when it developed signalling problems. He also questioned Thales' confidence in operating both signalling systems concurrently and argued that the resignalling project should have been completed earlier.[46]

Aftermath

[edit]

On 20 November 2017, the TWE's signalling system was isolated from the rest of the EWL to reduce the complexity of operating two signalling systems.[16] The following day, SMRT and LTA announced that services between Joo Koon and Gul Circle would remain suspended until June 2018, with free bridging buses provided between the two stations.[13][47] From 8 to 31 December, sections between Tiong Bahru and Tuas Link, as well as Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak on the NSL, were also scheduled for earlier closures on Friday and Saturday evenings and later openings on Saturdays and Sundays to accelerate EWL resignalling works. These sections were also scheduled to close for the full day on 10 and 17 December.[47][48][c] Commuters interviewed by The Straits Times were dismayed by the closures due to the added inconvenience, although one hoped that "the trains will be better after this".[49]

Further closures were scheduled in January 2018, affecting services between Paya Lebar, Pasir Ris and Changi Airport.[50] Operating hours across the EWL continued to be shortened on every weekend in March, as well as on 12 and 14 March, to facilitate the implementation of the CBTC system in addition to rail renewal works.[51] By March, resignalling works were 90% complete.[52] Live testing of the new signalling system was conducted on Sundays in April and May, with train services running between Gul Circle and Joo Koon. On 24 April, a signalling simulation centre opened at Bishan Depot to help identify and diagnose software issues during testing of the new CBTC system.[53] With the full transition of the EWL to the new CBTC signalling system, services between Gul Circle and Joo Koon resumed on 28 May 2018.[54]

Notes and references

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ SMRT and Land Transport Authority (LTA) initially said the second train "came into contact" with the first train.[17]
  2. ↑ The second bubble is known as a “Non-Communicating Obstruction (NCO)".[16] The trackside device, labelled W210B, is a track point located west of Clementi station.[42]
  3. ↑ Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak were affected as the engineering works would include Jurong East station, a major interchange on the NSL and EWL.[16][48]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 "517 passengers on the moving train in Joo Koon collision". Channel NewsAsia. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Joo Koon train collision: Total number of injured rises to 38". Channel NewsAsia. 19 November 2017. Archived from the original on 19 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  3. ↑ Yeo, Ghim Lay; Goh, Yi Han (28 February 2009). "Boon for Boon Lay". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  4. ↑ "Expanding The Rail Network: LTA To Build Boon Lay MRT Extension". Land Transport Authority. 29 December 2004. Archived from the original on 9 July 2011.
  5. ↑ "Getting Around – Public Transport – Rail Network". Land Transport Authority. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 "The Rail Report: New Signalling System, Rail Line and Extension and Trains Next Year". Land Transport Authority. 26 October 2016. Archived from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  7. ↑ "LTA and SMRT Award Contracts for New Trains and Re-Signalling Project". Land Transport Authority. 1 February 2012. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  8. ↑ Kotwani, Monica (14 July 2017). "North–South Line signalling system to take up to 6 months to stabilise". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 19 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  9. ↑ Lim, Kenneth (16 June 2017). "Tuas West Extension opens after six-month delay". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  10. ↑ Lim, Kenneth (26 October 2016). "Launch of upgraded signalling system on NSL delayed for more rigorous testing: LTA". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  11. ↑ LTA report 2017, p. 2.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Lim, Adrian (22 November 2017). "Protective 'bubbles' became disabled, causing collision". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 24 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  13. 1 2 Tan, Christopher (22 November 2017). "Joo Koon-Gul Circle link to remain closed till mid-2018". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "MRT collision at Joo Koon station: A timeline of events". CNA. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  15. 1 2 "LTA statement in full: Software failure behind Joo Koon collision". Today. Land Transport Authority. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Investigation Findings on Train Collision at Joo Koon MRT Station & Shorter Operating Hours along NSEWL in December". Land Transport Authority. 21 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  17. 1 2 Tan, Christopher; Lim, Adrian; Tan, Tam Mei (15 November 2017). "Joo Koon train collision: 28 hurt after stalled train is hit by another one". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 16 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  18. ↑ Lim, Adrian (16 November 2017). "SMRT collision: 7 more commuters seek treatment after Wednesday's incident; 36 injured in all". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 20 June 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  19. 1 2 Lim, Adrian (15 November 2017). "Joo Koon train collision: Passengers thrown to the floor, evacuated from driver's cabin, says witness". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 22 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  20. ↑ Tan, Tam Mei (16 November 2017). "Joo Koon train collision: Some passengers cried and there was vomit in the train, says witness". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  21. ↑ "Number of injured rises to 38 in Joo Koon train collision". The Straits Times. 19 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  22. 1 2 3 "What happened yesterday" (PDF). The Straits Times. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  23. 1 2 3 4 Mahmud, Aqil Haziq; Kotwani, Monica (16 November 2017). "MRT train collides with stationary train at Joo Koon station; 29 people hurt". CNA. Archived from the original on 11 February 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  24. ↑ LTA report 2017, p. 3.
  25. ↑ "Joo Koon Collision Was Second in SMRT History". Channel NewsAsia. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  26. 1 2 Kotwani, Monica (15 November 2017). "Khaw Boon Wan apologises to commuters affected by Joo Koon train collision". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  27. ↑ Almenoar, Maria; Lim, Adrian (16 November 2017). "Signal fault to blame for Joo Koon MRT collision". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  28. ↑ "28 injured in Singapore metro train collision". South China Morning Post. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  29. ↑ "'Confident Minister Khaw will sort things out': Shanmugam after Joo Koon train collision". Channel NewsAsia. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  30. ↑ Choo, Cynthia (19 November 2017). "MRT incidents have hurt public confidence: PM Lee". Today. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  31. ↑ Lim, Adrian (21 November 2017). "Signalling system firm Thales apologises for Joo Koon train collision; assures commuters that its system is safe". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 24 November 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  32. ↑ Choo, Cynthia (16 November 2017). "Joo Koon collision points to systems 'failure', WP says in calling for 'exhaustive' checks". Today. Archived from the original on 20 September 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  33. 1 2 Tan, Christopher (16 November 2017). "Joo Koon collision: Signal failure hits confidence". Straits Times. Archived from the original on 19 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  34. ↑ "Your views: Aftermath of the Joo Koon train collision". Channel NewsAsia. 19 November 2017. Archived from the original on 19 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  35. ↑ "Physics poser, CEO bid and memes: How netizens react to Joo Koon train collision". The Straits Times. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 20 December 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  36. ↑ Lim, Adrian (15 November 2017). "Joo Koon train collision a serious matter; could be due to bug in signalling system, say experts". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  37. 1 2 Lim, Adrian (16 November 2017). "Joo Koon collision: 'Inadvertent removal' of software fix led to collision". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  38. ↑ Ong, Justin (15 November 2017). "SMRT train collision at Joo Koon due to 'inadvertent' removal of software protection feature". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  39. 1 2 "Joo Koon collision: Tuas West Extension train services suspended until Sunday for further checks". Channel NewsAsia. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  40. ↑ Chai Chin, Neo. "Joo Koon MRT collision: Faulty train was transiting between old and new signalling systems". Today. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  41. ↑ Almenoar, Maria (16 November 2017). "MRT incident: No train service on Thursday between Joo Koon and Tuas Link". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  42. ↑ LTA report 2017, p. 1.
  43. ↑ "Completion of Detailed Investigation into the Train Collision at Joo Koon MRT Station". Land Transport Authority. 18 December 2017. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  44. ↑ "'Software logic issue' caused Joo Koon train collision, says LTA following investigations". Channel NewsAsia. 19 December 2017. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  45. ↑ LTA report 2017, pp. 3–4.
  46. ↑ Tan, Christopher (21 November 2017). "Prudent decision to separate old and new signalling systems, and lessons from Joo Koon collision". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 29 November 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  47. 1 2 Hio, Lester (22 November 2017). "MRT closures and shorter operating hours: What you need to know". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 25 November 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  48. 1 2 Chia, Lianne (21 November 2017). "2 full-day shutdowns, shorter operating hours for 19 NSEWL MRT stations in December: LTA, SMRT". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 26 November 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  49. ↑ Lim, Min Zhang (21 November 2017). "Inconvenient, but some commuters hope increased downtime will improve rail service". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 13 February 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  50. ↑ "Sunday closures, shorter weekend service hours on another part of East–West Line in January". 15 December 2017. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  51. ↑ "All East-West Line stations to have shorter weekend operational hours in March". Channel NewsAsia. 19 January 2018. Archived from the original on 20 January 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  52. ↑ "Joint News Release by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) & SMRT – More Engineering Hours to Improve Rail Reliability Sooner". Land Transport Authority. 7 March 2018. Archived from the original on 15 May 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  53. ↑ Tan, Christopher (24 April 2018). "New MRT signalling system to be tested during operational hours on 5 Sundays from April 29". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  54. ↑ Tan, Christopher (28 May 2018). "East–West Line running on new signalling system now – all the way to Tuas West and back". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.

Sources

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See also

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Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joo_Koon_train_collision&oldid=1376930485"