2 countries, 2 stations, 1 sea crossing, many engineering challenges: JB-Singapore RTS Link CEO reflects on the project

The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) project may be seen as relatively straightforward — with only two stations — but there's more than meets the eye, said RTS Operations chief executive officer Dr Ahmad Marzuki Ariffin on Tuesday (Oct 6).One such challenge he pointed out, not obvious to the untrained eye, is the viaduct's 3 per cent gradient. "This is by design, the maximum slope allowed in the RTS Link for train operations," Dr Ahmad Marzuki shared in a Facebook post. He explained that trains would descend along this slope from the bridge's highest point towards ground level, and must also maintain a safe speed before stopping smoothly and accurately at Woodlands North station.This, he said, requires careful coordination of the track design, braking and signalling systems.In addition, the tropical climate in Johor Bahru and Singapore means wet weather considerations will have to be factored into operations.