The Panama Metro rapid transit system links the north and east sides of Panama City metropolitan area to the city center and is part of a master plan to improve transportation in the region. Line 1 of the metro opened in 2014. Construction on the second phase began in 2015, and Line 2 opened in April 2019. With a design capacity of 40,000 passengers per direction per hour, Line 2 serves 16 stations over an elevated 21-kilometer route. Each metro station has air-conditioning, video surveillance, passenger information systems, wheelchair accessibility, and fire safety and electronic ticketing systems. The master plan for the Panama Metro includes construction of three further metro lines and a tram by 2035.

Authorized Dealer COPANAC installed a Reliable Controls building automation system to control both Reliable Controls and third-party BACnet components for Panama Metro Line 2 stations.

In the network and special equipment rooms at each station, a MACH-ProWebCom connects via MS/TP to Reliable Controls devices and a third-party air-conditioning unit. The MACH-ProWebCom combines a BACnet Building Controller, BACnet Operator Workstation, and powerful web server in a single device that provides operators with the ability to access the entire building automation system over the internet. In administrative areas, a BACnet gateway allows Reliable Controls system integration using BACnet/IP.

MACH-ProZone controllers connected via BACnet control mechanical ventilation and exhaust equipment. COPANAC also installed MACH-Pro1 and MACH-Pro2 controllers at select stations to control the speed of ventilation fans based on zone temperature and to monitor associated fire dampers. MACH-ProPoint expansion modules help facility managers track the status of fire curtains and alarms from ancillary equipment.

One of the major challenges of the project was SCADA integration. COPANAC installed a custom Modbus TCP/IP network that allows communication between all Reliable Controls devices and the SCADA system.

The Panama Metro provides a vital service in Panama City, a regional hub of culture, commerce, and tourism. COPANAC and Reliable Controls are pleased to be part of it.

Authorized Dealer

Market Segment

Transportation

Project Type

New construction

Project Date

Feb 2020

Installation Type

HVAC

Total Area

1,198 m2 (12,896 ft2)

Protocol

BACnet

Integrated Equipment

Liebert DataMate, LG ACP gateway

Total System Objects

5,350

Hardware
MACH-Pro1™5 MACH-Pro1™
MACH-Pro2™1 MACH-Pro2™
MACH-ProPoint™ Input/Output2 MACH-ProPoint™ Input/Output
MACH-ProWebCom™16 MACH-ProWebCom™
MACH-ProZone™30 MACH-ProZone™