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Showing posts with label driverless trains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label driverless trains. Show all posts

Saturday, 18 February 2017

09:01

Driverless Train sets may be a reality in Kolkata Metro Rail post 2018

Driverless Train sets may be a reality in Kolkata Metro Rail post 2018

KOLKATA: Driverless Metro trains may soon be a reality in Kolkata, Indian Railways Director Yatish Kumar said here on Saturday.

“Driverless trains based on Grade of Automation 3 (GoA 3) is not a dream now in Kolkata. There is a target that all the new metro rakes in city from March 2018 would be GoA 3 grade driverless rakes,” Director, Research Design and Standards Organisations of Indian Railways, Yatish Kumar said.

GoA 3 is a driverless train operation (DTO) where starting and stopping are automated but a train attendant operates only the gates of the trains.

The new rakes to be imported from China would be for existing metro including new East-West and Dum Dum-Garia metro routes, he said on the sidelines of CII organised manaufacturing excellence.

Chennai, Bangalore and Lucknow already operates the GoA 3 rakes.

GoA 4 is a true driverless train without any attendant as even train door operation is automated. One such rake is currently under trial in New Delhi Metro, Kumar said.

Source:RailNews
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Thursday, 1 December 2016

07:53

DMRC ORDERED 86 COACH TRAINS FROM KOREA

DMRC ORDERED 86 COACH TRAINS FROM KOREA

Come March, swankier, faster, more spacious and energy-efficient Metro trains will be thrown open to commuters on the new Magenta Line’s Botanical Garden-Kalkaji corridor—a section of the Phase 3 expansion.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has ordered 86 six-coach trains from a Korea-based manufacturer to be used on the new Pink (Mukundpur-Shiv Vihar) and Magenta (Botanical Garden-Janakpuri west) lines. Eventually, after trials, they will be run on automated mode without a driver.

The new trains, which can’t be integrated with the existing lines, have a host of special features:

Driverless operation

The trains have an ‘Unattended Train Operation’ mode. Initially, operators will drive them. By mid 2018, after DMRC holds stringent trials for a year, the trains are expected to go completely driverless.

All functions — starting and stopping, acceleration and braking, operation of doors and handling of emergencies—will be fully automated. A control room at every station will manage and monitor every activity. There will also be a central control room, Operation Control Centre (OCC), which will also communicate with the train. The OCC will monitor live streaming from the coaches as well.

New metro systems world over are reportedly adopting the driverless technology. Internationally, the trials take about a year and a half, DMRC said.

The trains also have an Obstruction Deflection Device (ODD) that can remove small obstructions on the track to avoid derailment.

Once the trains become driverless, their two additional front-facing cameras will help the control room spot and prevent suicide attempts. The driver’s cabin will be removed, and 60 more passengers can be accommodated in each train.

Additional space

The new-design coaches are wider at 3.2 metres, compared to the existing 2.9-metre wide coaches on Standard Gauge. Technical equipment have moved to beneath the seats. As a result, passenger capacity will increase from 1,780 to 1,866 per train.

Speed and frequency

The existing trains run at 35 kilometres an hour. The new ones have higher acceleration which can make them 10% faster. Also, the distance between two trains can be less, and the trains can run at 90 seconds frequency. At present, their average frequency is two minutes and 10 seconds.

Energy efficiency

The new design can facilitate higher regeneration of power which can lower energy consumption by 20%. It has technologies such as LED saloon lights with automatic dimming facility based on ambient light and inverter-controlled energy efficient air-conditioning system.

Digital screens

Screens in every coach will display digital route maps. There are also fully programmable LCD screens with videos, graphics, animations and real-time video streaming. Advertisements can also be displayed on them, a revenue stream for DMRC.

Source:HT
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Tuesday, 30 August 2016

07:43

China To Launch First Driverless Subway Line In 2017

China To Launch First Driverless Subway Line In 2017

BEIJING:  China's first driverless subway line in the capital city Beijing, is expected to start operations at the end of 2017.

Operations on the Yanfang line will be fully automatic, including train departures, door opening and closing, and cleaning.

The trains will only use domestic technology, state-run People's Daily reported today.

China started developing its own fully automatic subway system in 2010 and has mastered the core technologies, the report said.

Beijing subway lines 3, 12, 17, 19 and the new airport line are all under planning and will also operate with completely automated, driverless trains.

It is expected that the total length of fully-automated subway lines in Beijing will reach 300 km by 2020, the report said.

The development and use of domestic operation systems is part of the "Made in China 2025" initiative, which aims to comprehensively upgrade Chinese industry.

The move will also help strengthen China's presence in the global rail transport industry and ensure the security of the country's key infrastructure facilities, it said.

 Source:NDTV
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Monday, 15 August 2016

22:19

DMRC extends trial runs of driverless metro between Kalindi Kunj and Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station

DMRC extends trial runs of driverless metro between Kalindi Kunj and Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station

New Delhi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) extended its trial runs on the upcoming Janakpuri West – Botanical Garden corridor from Okhla Vihar till Kalkaji Mandir in southern Delhi.

With the beginning of trial runs on this section, now trials are in progress on a 9.5 kilometre stretch from Kalindi Kunj till Kalkaji Mandir. Earlier in June, initial trial runs had started between Kalindi Kunj and Okhla Vihar stations of this corridor.

Delhi Metro’s new UTO (Unattended Train Operations) enabled trains will operate on this corridor. The new trains, with extremely high levels of automation, will now undergo rigorous trials between these stations to ensure that they are ready for smooth operations after the commissioning of the corridor. Initially, train operators will run the trains, but gradually, driverless operations (on the UTO mode) will be possible.

During these trials, the interface of the Metro train will be checked to ensure that there is no physical infringement with civil infrastructure during the movement of the train on the track and also testing of various subsystems of coaches shall be done.

Later on, in stages, the new signaling technology to be implemented on this corridor and Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) will also undergo rigorous testing. The response of the train at different speeds, braking of the train and the interconnection with the Operations Control Centre (OCC) will also be monitored during the trials. The behavior of the track system and the Over Head Electrification (OHE) will be checked repeatedly.

This particular section from Kalindi Kunj till Kalkaji Mandir consists of seven elevated stations – Kalindi Kunj, Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Milia Islamia, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla NSIC and Kalkaji Mandir. Civil work on all stations is complete and finishing activities are in progress. Gradually, the trial runs will be expanded to the other parts of the entire corridor.

The depot has been built at Kalindi Kunj which will cater to the Janakpuri West – Botanical Garden corridor. This depot is also unique from the point of view of engineering since its stabling sheds will be elevated on a separate deck, which in turn will be covered by solar panels.

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Monday, 23 May 2016

08:05

Driverless Metro Train Trial Run Started on 17-05-2016 -DMRC

Driverless Metro Train Trial Run Started on 17-05-2016 -DMRC

New Delhi: The trial run of Delhi Metro’s new ‘driverless’ trains began today, setting the ball rolling on what promises to be a technological feat in the country’s public transport system in little more than a year, when they will run on ‘unattended’ mode.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu flagged off one train equipped to travel on ‘Unattended Train Operations’ mode at the Mukundpur depot of metro’s upcoming Majlis Park – Shiv Vihar corridor.

In their speeches, Mr Naidu and Mr Kejriwal insisted that metro was one of the best answers to the city’s commutation and pollution woes. Mr Kejriwal thanked the Centre and termed Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as a ‘unique example’ of cooperative federalism.

Mr Naidu said that odd-even was a temporary measure and “cannot be a permanent solution” and said new technology was set to increase metro’s frequency to 90 seconds.

“As we kept on saying during odd-even, till the time we don’t improve our public transport system, one that which inspires car owners to move opt for public transport, pollution or congestion will not come down,” Mr Kejriwal said.

Trial run of trains, that were unveiled last month, will take place between the depot and Majlis Park station, one of the terminal stations of the upcoming Pink Line, for the next few days. Gradually the distance covered by them will be increased, a metro official said.

The new trains will undergo rigorous trials to ensure that they are ready for smooth operations after the commissioning of the 58-km-long Mukundpur- Shiv Vihar and the 34-km-long Janakpuri (West)- Botanical Garden corridors , by the end of this year, although initially, train operators will run them.

“Gradually, driver-less operations, on the Unattended Train Operation (UTO) mode, will be possible and later on, in stages, the new signalling technology – Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) – will be implemented which will bring the time gap between to two trains to 90 seconds instead of the current average of two minutes,” an official said.

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Saturday, 9 April 2016

07:10

DMRC:Delhi Metro unveils fully automated driverless trains

DMRC:Delhi Metro unveils fully automated driverless trains 

Delhi Metro on Wednesday unveiled its fully automated train, saying these faster and driverless trains will run on the upcoming two lines.

But these trains too will be operated by drivers for a year before the Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC) declares the driverless trains safe, DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh said.
“Initially, the train will be run by a driver for one year on trial basis. Only after successfully conducting the trial, it will be fully automated. Unless we are 100 percent sure, we won’t start with driverless trains,” he told the media

The upcoming lines connect Majlis Park and Shiv Vihar in north Delhi (58.5 km) as well as Botanical Garden in Noida and Janakpuri West in west Delhi (38 km). The Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar line would be the longest on the Delhi Metro network. Mangu Singh said the trial run for the Pink Line (Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar) and the Magenta Line (Botanical Garden-Janakpuri West) would be completed by the end of this year. “Most of the work on both lines is complete. I’m hopeful that some of the stretches would be operational for public this year itself.” The new trains would have six fixed coaches and can carry more passengers. A senior DMRC official, HS Anand, said the new trains would be 10 percent faster and 20 percent more energy efficient than the present ones. 

“In the existing trains, only 50 percent of the coaches are motorised. In the new trains, four of the six coaches are powered. So acceleration would be fast and less power would be consumed.” The average speed of the new train would be 37-38 km per hour, compared to 30-32 km per hour now. Anand said the trains would generate electricity even when brakes are applied, enabling the air-conditioning system to keep working. To increase passenger capacity, the new coaches’ bodies have been widened to 3.2 metres against the 2.9 metres in existing trains, Anand said. “Also, the space will increase as the driver’s cabin will be removed and 40 more people can be accommodated. Overall, the new trains will be able to carry 1,866 passengers,” Anand said. The new trains also have passenger-friendly features such as WiFi, USB charging ports, redesigned grab handles, digital route map and backrest near the wheelchair area. Each train will have six LED screens with videos, graphics, animation and real time video streaming capacity. DMRC has ordered 81 new trains and received 14 so far. Delhi Metro, which began operations in 2002, today transports 25-26 lakh people every day. - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-metro-unveils-fully-automated-driverless-trains/#sthash.4YLhuTs8.dpuf






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Thursday, 28 January 2016

07:39

Delhi Metro tests new driverless trains

Delhi Metro tests new driverless trains
NEW DELHI: For the past month, Delhi Metro has been quietly testing trains at its Mukundpur depot in the northern part of the city. Earmarked to be deployed on the two new corridors coming up in phase III, what makes these trains unique is that there's no driver to operate them.

"The trains procured for phase III are driverless trains, which will initially have staff deputed for operation but gradually, they will be withdrawn to move to unattended train operation," said Anuj Dayal, spokesman for Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

The testing started in December last year when the first set of five trains arrived at Mukundpur depot from South Korea. Another three are expected to reach Delhi by February this year. "The trains are under commissioning, that is, testing and integration with signalling system, electrical fittings, etc are going on," added Dayal. Interestingly, besides these made-in Korea trains, a desi-built train on the same specifications also arrived in the depot last December. This train though, has been manufactured in Bengaluru, said Dayal.

The desi-built train, according to Dayal, is part of the contract conditions for Delhi Metro. While the trains are designed by Hyundai Rotem, only 20 six-coach train sets were shipped from South Korea. The remaining 366 coaches-that is, 61 trains of six coaches-are being built in the BEML factory in Bengaluru as part of a tie-up between the two firms.

These 366 coaches are being built on the basis of the 20 trains imported from Changwon, South Korea. "The prototype came on June 4, 2015. Since then manufacturing of 61 trains has been going on in the Indian factory. Indigenisation is one of the main focus areas of DMRC in all procurements," added Dayal. In fact, the two of the "make-in India" trains have already arrived at the Mukundpur depot, including one on January 12 this year. All are being tested at the depot.

The trains being commissioned for phase III are different in many ways. Apart from being the first driverless trains in the Delhi Metro system, they are technologically more evolved than the existing trains. Their look will also be different, said Dayal, adding, "The trains will be more colourful and have more space inside."

The six coach trains will be deployed on the Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar and Janakpuri (west)-Botanical Garden lines. "Train operators are not required to run these trains. The operations control centres of the Delhi Metro system will directly regulate their movement," added Dayal. Because the trains are driverless, DMRC is also installing platform screen doors at all stations in the phase III. The new trains will also be more spacious, promised Dayal. Each coach can accommodate a maximum of 380 passengers. "The trains can accommodate 40 more commuters as the driver's cabin is no longer required," said Dayal.

Even the interior is visually appealing. Colourful seats, bum support for commuters to stand near the door and non-skid flooring are some features. A live feed will be available inside the train through a 37-inch LCD display. The new trains will have four motorised cars and two trailer cars. This will help in improving train speed and offer better acceleration and de-acceleration. "It will result in saving 12 minutes of the journey time on the 56km-long route," said Dayal. The average speed of the new trains is also fractionally better at 35kmph. At present, the rolling stock's average speed is 32kmph.

Source:TOI

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Monday, 19 October 2015

10:47

Alstom offers Driverless Trains to Kochi Metro

Alstom offers Driverless Trains to Kochi Metro

Kochi: With the first lot of Kochi Metro coaches expected to arrive by mid-December, Alstom has offered two crucial value additions that together cost Rs.55 crore.

A pioneering initiative to regenerate 99 per cent of braking energy of each train would increase the project cost by Rs.15 crore, from Rs.633 crore to Rs.648 crore. The proposal has been submitted to the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL).

Another first

Another first-time-in-India initiative is Unmanned Train Operation (UTO) that could escalate procurement cost of 75 coaches by another Rs.40 crore to Rs.688 crore. A proposal on this is expected to be submitted to the KMRL shortly.

“The total increase of Rs.55 crore is marginal since its pay-back (break even) period will be less than four years. We are awaiting response from the KMRL since the first few coaches must be delivered in two months,” said Bharat Salhotra, MD (Transport – India and South Asia) of Alstom. The firm is trying to hard-sell its regenerative braking technology branded Hesop to the KMRL.

“Using this, 99 per cent of braking energy of each train can be fed back into grid or can be used by the train that follows. This will result in phenomenal savings to the KMRL, while ushering in a revolutionary green technology in Kerala,” said Mr. Salhotra.

Safer journey ensured

The manned trains can be transformed into unmanned ones by making slight structural and engineering alterations. This will ensure safer journey since the remote probability of human error can be ruled out.

The UTO technology will also ensure more comfortable journey since trains will operate as per standardised norms – no sudden acceleration and braking by unskilled drivers, while enabling structured time gap between trains. All these contribute to lessening wear and tear of trains, thus lessening life-cycle cost, sources associated with the metro coaches said.
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