A Siemens-led consortium signed a contract with the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) to modernize and automate the rail system connecting New York and New Jersey.

This project will increase the passenger capacity from 240,000 passengers to 290,000 passengers per day. By implementing a new communication-based train control (CBTC) to the PATH rail system, the intervals between the trains will be reduced and more trains can use the same track.

The total contract volume is $321 million and the project is due to be completed in 2017.

The PATH rail system is over 100 years old, running from both Newark and Hoboken in New Jersey to the World Trade Center and Herald Square in Manhattan. Upgrading the system to CBTC will shorten the distance between operating trains, enabling more trains to move into and out of New York City on the basis of the existing infrastructure.

The implementation of the new CBTC will also enhance the system's throughput to meet future peak time demands, in addition to increasing safety and reliability, while reducing ongoing maintenance costs. In addition to this increase in capacity, a new Siemens-provided train supervision system will help PATH operate more efficiently and know exactly where each train is located in the rail network.

The consortium, led by the Siemens Mobility Division includes Invensys Rail Corp. (Formerly Safetran Systems) and D/A Builders LLC, a joint venture between Daidone Electric of Newark, New Jersey and Aldridge Electric of Libertyville, Ill.