The National Engineering Research Center for Safety and Operation and Maintenance of Urban Railway Systems is established and operated by Guangzhou Metro Group Co., Ltd. The center focuses on serving national and industry strategic needs, adhering to the principles of "openness, cooperation, and sharing," and tackles key technologies related to urban rail transit system safety, intelligent operation and maintenance, vibration and noise reduction, and green low-carbon solutions.

The center is the only national engineering research center in the rail transit industry based on a metro construction and operation unit. It is rooted in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and serves the national strategy of "Rail Transit in the Greater Bay Area." The center focuses on innovation research and real-world validation environments for the full lifecycle of metro, suburban, intercity rail, and tram systems. It supports the integrated and collaborative development of rail transit planning and design, engineering construction, operation services, and equipment manufacturing, serving national strategies such as "Transportation Powerhouse," "Manufacturing Powerhouse," and the "Belt and Road Initiative." In early 2024, the "National Engineering Research Center for Urban Rail Transit System Safety and Operation & Maintenance Assurance," led by Guangzhou Metro Group, was awarded the first "National Outstanding Engineer Team" recognition by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council.

The center adopts a "1+7+N" construction and operation model, operating under a director responsible system led by a council. It is led by Guangzhou Metro Group Co., Ltd., in collaboration with seven co-builders, including Beijing Jiaotong University, Central South University, Guangzhou Metro Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., and CRRC Zhuzhou Times Electric Co., Ltd., along with numerous other partners. Guangzhou Metro Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., as a co-builder, is responsible for the promotion and application of scientific and technological achievements, the collection of urban rail transit science and technology information domestically and internationally, and assisting in organizing government science and technology projects, as well as applying for science and technology awards from government/associations/societies. The institute oversees research platforms for traction network service safety assurance technology, power supply system safety detection technology, urban rail transit energy-saving technology, and automatic escalator and elevator safety monitoring and operation & maintenance technology, and participates in the research and construction of other related platforms.