IV&V for the introduction of Taiwan's new high-speed fleet

Challenge 

In May 2023, Hitachi Toshiba Supreme Consortium was chosen to provide 12 'New Generation' trainsets for Taiwan’s high-speed railway.

The lighter-weight vehicles will offer greater energy efficiency, as well as enhancements to the passenger environment, such as extra luggage space, more charging sockets and upgraded information screens. 

Once procurement was complete, the operator of the route, Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC), wanted to ensure there was expert oversight throughout each stage of the fleet's delivery, from manufacture through to testing and eventual entry into service.

Approach

Ricardo has been appointed by THSRC to perform Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) services for the fleet’s introduction into service.

We will provide oversight throughout the production of the vehicles, verifying that overall build quality complies with the original specifications, and that the client’s requirements around safety, functionality, maintainability and quality – all stipulated in the procurement process – have either been met or exceeded.  

The presence of Ricardo’s rolling stock specialists will provide valuable continuity at key decision points, particularly around design adjustments, quality assessments and test reviews.

Meanwhile, the structured process of audits and assessments that we introduce will also help reduce risks and provide assurance to THSRC that the new fleet will be delivered in full compliance with widely recognised standards. 

Results

THSRC chose Ricardo due to our detailed knowledge of their organisation and its processes, and our global experience of high-speed systems.

We were the appointed IV&V body between 2001-07 to support the initial line into public operation and provided the same service for the later Nanyang extension. 

The first vehicles are expected into passenger operation in 2027.