A safe coach for Metro Rail

A safe coach for Metro Rail
S Lalitha
In these terror-ridden times, surveillance remains the watchword in spots where the population is quite high.

No wonder then that security aspects have been accorded top priority in the proposed Metro Rail trains which are slated to have a passenger capacity of 1,000 per train initially.

Speaking to Metrolife about the unique aspects of these trains, Executive Director (Administration), Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) M S Nagendra said that each of the three coaches in every train will be equipped with two or three concealed rotating cameras. They will capture the faces and behaviour of commuters.

“The visuals they capture will be transmitted by the antennae on the rooftop of the train to an Operating Control Centre (OCC), which is slated to come up at Majestic. All activities inside the train can thus be monitored from outside. In addition, the driver of the train will also be provided with a monitor which will constantly display the images.”

The OCC can retain these images for upto 24 hours.There is an option to record the pictures too if needed. “This would be of tremendous help to police when trying to track perpetrators of terror acts,” Nagendra pointed out. The successful Delhi Metro is also contemplating incorporation of such cameras in their trains, he added.

In-built protection

Another unique feature is the inbuilt Automatic Train Protection System (ATPS), said BMRCL Managing Director, V Madhu. The ATPS will ensure that the train does not collide with any other train. “This safeguard is vital since a Metro train will depart every three minutes. The inbuilt automation is such that when the driver suffers a sudden heartattack or even falls asleep midway, operation of the train will be automatically taken care of,” he added. In certain cases where the train stops midway, controllers operating from the OCC can operate it through remote control,” Madhu said.

Auto braking

Elaborating on the technical aspects, Nagendra said, “This will be possible due to a track circuit that will be created for every 200-metres. Sensors and receptors will be wired to the railway track. There will also be a signalling equipment room for every third station. The position of each train will be monitored here and this will ensure that no collision takes place.”

A speed signal in the driver’s cabin will highlight the target speed of the train. If the driver exceeds the set speed and ignores the warning given, brakes would get automatically applied within two to three seconds.

Pressure on drivers eased

It will be sheer relief for the drivers who would be operating these trains. The only job that these drivers have to do is ensure the train doors and closed and start the train. “Acceleration, coasting, braking, precision stopping and opening of the doors on the correct side of the platform will be taken care of automatically,” the executive director said.

The classy, air-conditioned coaches would also be disabled-friendly.

Looks like there is much for commuters to enjoy in March 2010 if the entire First Reach of Phase I of Metro Rail keeps up with its proposed deadline.

Driverless trains, did you say!

Not everyone gets to travel in a train without a driver like this five-member BMRCL team which included Managing Director V Madhu and Executive Director of Administration M S Nagendra. The team was on a tour to Europe a fortnight ago to learn about the functioning of Metro trains there. They travelled on Paris Metro’s Line 14, also known as meteor, which is the most advanced subway in the world. The subway has glass partitioned platforms and runs fully automatic, driverless trains.One can witness a train departing here every 90 seconds. The first trip by the Bangalore team was from St Lazare to Ge Bardie station. Recalling the experience, Nagendra said, “Initially it is a bit scary. You can even peep through the transparent rear cabin and see no driver there with everything automated. The tracks can also be seen.” This train was inaugurated in 2005 and thousands of commuters use it daily for commuting. May be there would be a day in the far future when Bengalooru could have a driverless train.