Metro gets first driverless train
The first of the new batch of Metro trains that can run without the presence of any train operator arrived in Delhi on Thursday. The new trains have undergone significant technological as well as eco-friendly upgrades with many additional features added to increase passenger comfort.
Not only the new trains can run on Unattended Train Operation (UTO) mode, these trains are claimed to be able to accommodate more passengers, run on a higher speed, are more energy efficient and have many more new features.
The new trains will cater to the requirements of the upcoming Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar (line 7-58.596 km) and Janakpuri West-Botanical Garden (line 8-38.235 km) corridors of Phase-III. Both these corridors are expected to be operational by the 2016 end.
While there’s still time for the corridors of Phase-III of Delhi Metro to be operationalised, DMRC said in a statement that the first Metro train that will run on them has arrived at the Mukundpur depot of DMRC from Korea. Manufactured at Changwan, Korea, the first of many such trains arrived by sea at the Mundhra Port in Gujarat and was brought by road to Delhi on specially-made trailers.
According to DMRC, a total of 20 number of six coach train sets will be manufactured overseas in South Korea by the end of this year while the remaining 61 are being manufactured at the Bharat Earth Movers limited (BEMl) plant in Bengaluru.
“More than 366 coaches will be manufactured in India, as indigenisation is one of the main focus areas of DMRC in all its procurements,” the statement said.
Among the main highlights of the new trains, capability to run on UTO mode tops the list. “These new generation trains are suitable to eventually run on UTO (Unattended Train Operation) mode, that is, train operators will not be required to operate these trains and the Operations Control Centres (OCC) of the Delhi Metro system will directly regulate the movement of the trains. Initially, the train operators will be deputed for operation and gradually withdrawn to move to Unattended Train Operation (UTO),” Anuj Dayal,
Executive Director (Corporate Communications) said in the statement. Moreover, the cabinless trains would be able to accommodate 240 passengers more in a six-coach train as the driver’s cab will not be required in such trains.
When it comes to the speed, the new trains will have 67 per cent traction (four motorised cars and two trailer cars) in comparison to 50 per cent in the existing stock. This feature will help in improving the scheduled train speed by better acceleration and de-acceleration of the trains, resulting in saving of journey time as well as superior energy efficiency.
“An average speed of higher than 35 mph will be achieved with the new rolling stock, whereas the present rolling stock can be run on an average speed of 32 kph… Trains are designed for maximum speed of 95 kph and operational speed of 85 mph,” the statement said.
The new trains are also claimed to be more energy efficient than the earlier trains of Delhi Metro because of improved design features such as better regeneration of energy during braking, energy efficient sub-systems like lED lighting and air conditioning systems.
And as far as the aesthetics are concerned fibre re-enforced plastic (FRP) seats have been introduced to add colour inside the trains. Dynamic Route Maps (DRMs) have also been installed in each door coving panel to let passengers know their journey status. For charging the phones, USB slots have also been provided in the trains in addition to the existing 230V AC charging sockets.