First Road Diversion

Hi all, I just had time to continue writing something on EDTP project, I just completed my presentation and resolved several issues pertaining to approval work flow and maintenance work.

Well, back to the story - On 15 July 2009 we completed the first road diversion at Jarak public level crossing. The Jarak public level crossing was located in package N4.

This was another interesting works that worth to share with others and as a way for me release all stressed that come along the way to the commissioning day.

New Road Diversion

Method Statement Approval Status

Due to KTMB District was really in need for gate motor to be used at other place, they had requested to recover the motorized gate at Jarak as their spare part.

The Contractor and PMC had no objection, as the motorize gate will be taken back by KTMB, The Contractor then proposed to use mechanical gate system at new road diversion. After several discussions, KTMB had agreed to the proposal and subsequently method statement was approved and published in KTMB’s Bi-Weekly newsletter.

New Gate Control Panel

The funny thing was there are several people within KTMB still questioning who approved the method statement and surprisingly, it was raised up during final inspection before commissioning day. Well I believed there must be some communication breakdown within KTMB itself. For me they suppose to check with their respective personnel in Kuala Lumpur HQ or with PMC to confirm the status of the method statement instead of questioning during final inspection.

After all, signal notice already approved does it means that the method statement had been approved by KTMB?.

Requirement vs. preference

In my observations, The Contractor had provided all necessary facilities and equipment that required for the safe operation of the public level crossing. But, some of KTMB’s personnel impose additional requirements which were considered as preference. Amongst other things requested are cordless phone and a shaded walkway from gateman Hut to Lever Ground Frame. I don’t see any shaded walkway had been provided in any KTMB existing public level crossing so far. So, why they ask for?.

Contractor Responsibility

The Contractor had failed to ensure the system was fully tested and work before the commissioning day. In facts, the PMC and KTMB representative already highlighted the issue during pre-commissioning test. Thus, lots of troubleshooting works were required on commissioning day.

Troubleshooting Work

The Contractor also failed to ensure the respective KTMB’s personnel from permanent way department available for commissioning work due to late notification and failed to address issue on check rail gaps. This had further delayed the commissioning until late evening as everything needs to be done on the same day.

After all, as a human we are not perfect, right? And this writing was not intended to blame anybody. It’s just a summary of experience that could be use as lessons learned by everybody who involved in this project.

Finally Open for Public

No heart feeling ….. ma....

Please improve for future commissioning…

regards

chenderai.co.cc

Swing Bridge

KTMB's Railway Swing Bridge

Swing Bridge View Taken From Control Room

On 21 January 2009 and 25 March 2009 we have visited the swing bridge at Perai Yard or also known as "Jambatan Putar Sultan Ismail Nasaruddin Shah. The swing bridge was built in 1967 and pioneered by an Austrian Company, Waagner Biro Bruckenbau AG.

Some facts about the bridge:

• Lenght : 240 feet
• Weight : 218 Ton

The bridge used by KTMB's passengers and fridge trains to cross Sungai Perai to Butterworth Station and NBCT ( North Buterworth Container Terminal)

Bridge Structure - Swing Portion

Prior to 1967, passengers on board to Butterworth have to stop at Perai and use ferry to cross the river.Control Panel

If there is a ship or ferry delivering materials to factories or workshop, a request will be made to the station master and the station master at Butterworth station subsequently will inform the signalman at the control cabin in the Perai yard. The signalman then will lift-up the bridge and swing for ship or ferry to cross the railway line.

Boat - Crossing the railways line

Based on information from control cabin log book, the frequency of request to swing the bring is about one or two times in a month.

Perai Yard Control Room

Relocation Of Kampung Manggis Up Gate Signal

The Kampung Manggis Up Gate Signal need to be relocated to give way for the construction of new track and bridge. After a long delay, the new signal was successfully commissioned on 9 January 2009.

Testing of new signal

Problem facing by kampung manggis up gate signal is almost the same as gate air kuning, it was delayed due to long waiting for signal sighting form to be approved by the end user. First submission was rejected even after the signal sighting committee members had agreed to the new signal location and had signed the sighting form.

Exposing the exisitng cable

As usual, the GMSKE rejected the application and a new site visit by signal sighting commitee need to re-arrange to identify the new location. Second submission however was accepted after the requirements by GMSKE was fullfilled.

Exposing the exisitng cable.

On the commissioning day there is another problem, the end user representative from operation dept. not available and the commissioning has to be delayed until 5.30pm. The funny things is when the operation representative arrive he ask for engine / trolley for him to see the signal visibility.

Troubleshooting - Cables termination

For me, his request is really supprize me as we have done so many signal relocation works during Rawang-Ipoh project and none of the operation representative at that time has requested for engine/trolley to commission the signal relocation.

Testing and Commissioning

I understand his concerned but it is really late in the evening for the contractor to arrange for engine / trolley. If the requests was made earlier, the arrangement could be done properly. Anyway, thanks to his consideration to commission the signal even without trolley / engine for him to see the signal.

Commissioning Of Gate Air Kuning

Gate Air Kuning public level crossing located at KM 100.25 / CH 99.785. The existing gate boom and gatemen hut need to be relocated to the opposite side of the Air Kuning road to give way for the construction of the road overhead bridge.

Gate Air Kuning Public Level Crossing

The relocation process started with joint site visit with the end user (KTMB) from district office. Subsequently, the signal sighting site visit was arranged to identify the new location for color light signals. The KTMB 053 form then was submitted to KTMB for approval.

Signal Sighting

I'm really disappointed with times and effort put into Gate Air Kuning relocation work, for me it is just a waste of time and money compare to the lengthy of the gate to remains in service. The end user also has too much worried about the safety of the new gate system as proposed by the contractor.

Testing... Testing

If we compare the existing gate system with the new gate system, I believed the new gate system is much better compare to the existing gate, but why the end user requests so many safety features which is not even exist in the existing system, any hidden agenda?. Only Allah know.

Testing by KTMB's Gate man

The first method statement was submitted by the contractor on 06-Oct-2008 , however it was rejected with comments from PMC and end user. The second revision then submitted on 27 Nov-2008 and was approved for implementation after discussion with end user.

Removal existing gate boom

I feels so released after the second submission was accepted, however the feeling not stay for long when the GMSKE refused to sign the sighting form. The GMSKE then came up with 8 more comments and this has lead to the third revision of method statement which was submitted on 22-Dec-2008.

Testing new signal and removal of semaphore signal

After a lot of obstructions and hardworking by various parties and after 3 months delay, the gate then was commissioned successfully on 8-January 2009 at 7.30pm.

Final Test by KTMB

As usual, in any mega projects there are so many hidden agenda that impede the work progress and whatever written here is just my personal view through my involvement in this project and I have no intention to accused or hurt anybody.



regards

chenderai.co.cc

Moving To New Office

Effectively on 2 January 2009 we have moved to our new project site office. The new office location is about 2km from the temporary office which was in Taman Maju Jaya Bukit Mertajam.

Photo Front Office

My Room In New PSO

I was given a room in the new office, hmm.. I'm quite surprise and a bit proud as I'm the only engineer who got room while other engineers sit in the partition area.

Photo Of Engineer Table

On 6 January 2006 - a meeting was held between client and my boss, to my surprise, when I returned form testing work at 7.30pm, my boss told me that I have to empty my room as the client want the room for their staffs. ha.. ha.. now I have to sit in the partition area, here is my new table. Messy... still no time to organize properly yet.... power point also not working.

Photo of my new table.

I have no heart feeling at all to move out from the room, furthermore the construction managers also need to move out from their room. Ha.. after all I'm just an engineer and to be honest I love to sit in the partition area, move freedom and easy to interact with others.

Lesson Learn

Not to be proud with something you just got until you are sure it is yours.

MKA - Penang