In-Depth

Transforming how millions of people travel in Malaysia, now and for generations to come

To complement our local rail teams supporting the delivery of MRT2, we mobilized our global rail systems, trackwork and BIM expertise.

Red and yellow mass transit train elevated in front of skyscrapers

Picture courtesy of MRT Corp

Creating a reliable and lasting urban transit legacy

MRT2 has 36 operational stations of which 27 are elevated and nine are underground, with 10 interchange and connecting stations and a stabling and maintenance depot.

Our teams engaged in two packages of project work to bring MRT2 to life.

As a railway systems consultant

In 2015, CH2M (acquired by Jacobs in 2017) was contracted to the MMC-Gamuda joint venture, the project delivery partner, and MRT Corp, the project owner, as a systems consultant for the development of rail systems reference design, creation of a systems engineering framework for the delivery and development of technical specifications and evaluation mechanism for tender packages.  

Later, we also acted as the client’s engineer, reviewing contractor designs through a gate approval process, advising stakeholders and managing technical change. 

“As the railway systems consultant, we mobilized our global rail systems expertise to support our local team to deliver a complex reference design and set of tender specifications. Our team created real value for the client both in terms of contract cost and the operability of the solution, creating further value throughout the operational life of the system.”

Richard Hilldrup

Jacobs Project Director, on our work as railway systems consultant

Key highlights of our work as a systems consultant:

  • Developed reference design within 18 months from the award of the contract.
  • Reviewed over 6,000 design artifacts (approx. 200 per month) during the design review phase, requiring a turnaround of seven days.  
  • Built our own System Assurance and Requirements Tracking System, which helped ensure that all aspects of the client’s requirements were achieved.
  • Performed high-value work in assessing the depot layout options and depot operational scenario.
  • Proposed a robust power distribution network configuration.

Phase 1 of the project with 12 stations – all above ground, with eight of them offering Park ‘n’ Ride facilities – started operating in June 2022. Phase 2 with 24 stations became operational in January 2023.

As a trackwork detailed design consultant

For trackwork, we were contracted to CCCC–George Kent joint venture, the project delivery partner and MRT Corp, the project owner, as a detailed design consultant since 2017. Our scope included detailed design for trackwork, emergency walkway, cable containment system, stray current collection system and design support services during the construction period. We were also commissioned to provide the main client with technology transfer training on rail systems. The trackwork is complete, along with the as-build drawings and final close-out documentation.

“As the trackwork detailed design consultant, we delivered the detailed design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) of the trackworks, mobilizing our global team in support of our local rail specialists. The project was highly complex, and the team provided exemplary service to the client. Also, the construction design support was much appreciated due to the complexity of the interfaces and design updates.”

Reuben Lamack

Jacobs Project Manager and Technical Director, on our work as trackwork detailed design consultant

Key highlights of our work as trackwork detailed design consultant:

  • Delivering the project in line with International Systems Engineering and Assurance practices in the rail space to ensure a fully interfaced and compliant design.
  • Supporting a fully integrated digital engineering delivery ⁠— we’re providing the project work in a BIM model.
  • Packaged the designs for fast approvals from concept design to the final design and construction drawings.
  • Delivered the depot designs to meet the early construction start date of the client.
  • BIM modeled the trackwork inclusive of system infrastructure and power rail and assisted in BIM modeling the trackwork machinery.
  • Developed and trained MRT Corp personnel on trackwork design as part of knowledge sharing requirement.

Making an efficient urban public transport network a reality

With MRT2 now operational as a part of the mega KVMRT project, it is expected to: 

  • Become accessible to a population of about two million in the Klang Valley-Putrajaya corridor and enjoy an initial daily ridership of over 104,000 passengers. [1]
  • Help solve traffic congestion in the KL metropolitan area.
  • Put the area on a par with developed cities [2] and help realize Malaysia’s vision to boost the economy in the Greater KL/Klang Valley National Key Economic Area. [3]