The purpose of the PICU Project is to facilitate the move of the fixed block areas of the Piccadilly Line to a new Signal Control Centre within the same timescales as the re-signalling and movement of the District Line controls.

The PICU system performs the following principal functions:

• Train location and status (train following)
• Presentation of signalling status
• Junction management & service regulation to timetable
• Route calling for signalling system (lever operations)

Ark were asked to provide delivery management and specialist teams of Signalling Designers, Control & Information Engineers and Software Developers to integrate seamlessly with our client’s team to facilitate the following project deliverables:

• Local signalling interface replacement at Cockfosters, Oakwood, Arnos Grove, Wood Green, King’s Cross, Holborn, Down Street, Hammersmith, Turnham Green, Acton Town, Northfields, Boston Manor, Hounslow Central, Hatton Cross, Heathrow T123, Heathrow T5, Ealing Common, Hanger Lane Junction, Ealing Broadway & South Harrow
• Signalling indication collection at Finsbury Park, Barons Court and Earl’s Court
• Diverse communications links to all sites from the new service Control Centre
• A centralised regulation and junction management system in conjunction with a new user GUI interface
• Maintainer terminal facilities (local maintainer terminals in the IMRs and a remote maintainer terminal at the control centre)
• An interface to the new Line upgrade signalling system to manage train information and control in the dual stock area
• Passenger information data generation