Brazil: Sao Paulo Rail ICT Integration Feasibility Study

Sao Paulo’s Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos, CPTM) invites submission of qualifications and proposal data (collectively referred to as the “Proposal”) from interested U.S. firms qualified on the basis of experience and capability to execute a Feasibility Study to help transform CPTM’s ICT infrastructure and platforms into an integrated network that can seamlessly deliver solutions across their enterprise, aiming to better business decision making. In addition, the Study will develop an implementation plan to incorporate big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) applications into CPTM’s current ICT infrastructure. The Proposal submission deadline is FEBRUARY 24, 2022. The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $726,000 grant o CPTM from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

About the Grantee

CPTM is a government-owned corporation that operates a passenger rail network comprised of seven lines with 96 stations and a total of 168 miles servicing 23 municipalities in the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Area. In 2019, CPTM transported close to 3 million passengers daily.

Project Background

The use of information and communications technologies (ICT), such as big data analytics, AI, and IoT applications, is enhancing service quality, providing savings, and improving resource efficiency in transportation, including rail. ICT can reduce traffic congestion, identify risks, analyze travel demands, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, AI can improve train scheduling, manage train speeds, avoid accidents, and predict delays. One of CPTM’s strategies is the modernization, expansion, and deployment of ICT to improve the entity’s administration, management, operation, safety, and system maintenance to provide higher quality service to passengers. CPTM’s Operational Control Center consists of several systems from train control to traction power control systems, CCTV, communication systems, computer aided dispatch (CAD), and others which are operated under a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Big data could support CPTM’s administrative, operational and maintenance decision-making based on predictive analytics, and reduce energy consumption.

About the Feasibility Study

The Study would develop an ICT plan detailing solutions, architecture and infrastructure specifications, standards, and a step-by-step approach that defines the actions needed for CPTM to implement the recommendations. The Study would develop an ICT plan to: (a) assess CPTM’s technical capability regarding staffing, equipment, infrastructure, architecture, and services; (b) define an ICT vision for CPTM’s big data, AI, and IoT integration efforts; (c) recommend ICT architecture and infrastructure, including design guidelines to address ICT applications, data, technology, networks, security, integration requirements, and new solutions; (d) recommend ICT policies, standards, and procedures for ICT governance and decision making; (e) define an organizational structure for supporting CPTM’s ICT modernization, and (f) develop a comprehensive implementation plan that recommends ICT solutions and technology acquisitions, including schedules and budgets.