PM to flag off country’s first-ever driverless Metro

PM to flag off country’s first-ever driverless Metro

Subject: Economy

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the driverless train service on the 37 km-Magenta Line (Janakpuri West to Botanical Garden) and will also be launching the fully operational National Common Mobility Card for travel on the 23-km Airport Express Line.

Concept:

• The Delhi Metro driverless trains are to operate on the Magenta Line and the Pink Line, made as part of the Phase-III of the DMRC.
• The Delhi Metro in September 2017 had started full signalling trials of its new ‘driverless trains’ along a 20-km-long stretch on the Pink Line, which was yet to be commissioned back then.
• The trials were to test the automation of the new metro trains, equipped with Unattended Train Operations (UTO) and CBTC (Communication Based Train Control) signalling systems, which will significantly increase their frequency.
• The driver-less trains, having six coaches, are equipped with several advanced features. These new trains of the Delhi Metro have undergone significant technological as well as eco-friendly upgrades and many additional features have been added to increase passenger comfort.
• They are designed for a maximum speed of 95 kmph and operational speed of 85 kmph, the Delhi Metro had earlier said.
• Although, initially drivers will be deputed for operating the trains they would be gradually withdrawn to move to Unattended Train Operation (UTO).
• These new-generation trains are suitable to eventually run on UTO 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.
• Each coach can accommodate a maximum of 380 passengers, which translates to 2,280 passengers in each train set of six coaches.
• The cabin-less trains would be able to accommodate 40 commuters more in a six coach train as the driver’s cab will not be required in such trains.