The increasing demand for underground transport will result in crowded lines which, next to the demographic explosion, is a true challenge in overpopulated cities. Under the circumstances, one of the most efficient solutions for preventing traffic congestion on the network and for boosting the transport capacity is choosing automatic underground trains, nowadays an important element of public transport.
The complexity of technical solutions and infrastructure projects has determined the authorities in large cities to boost investments in developing automatic underground lines.
The opportunity of increasing train frequency in case the demand is too big or reducing train frequency if needed, timekeeping and traffic speed, saving energy, as well as enhanced security and comfort for passengers have made more and more cities decide in favour of these projects. Driverless systems, accelerating and braking systems, energy efficiency, automatic doors, enhanced capacity, these are few elements recommending the automatic underground networks which determined China to react to this urban transport tendency. For example, in Guangzhou and Beijing all trains operate at maximum energy efficiency and at intervals of less than 90 seconds.
The most important component of the automatic underground train is the automatic train control system. This system controls and monitors the entire operational process, while a network of sensors provides security in all stations.
Also, the operation systems for technology control monitor all relevant processes, helping reduce errors in process monitoring. Moreover, the operation or stop of trains can be intelligently adapted to the passengers’ needs, especially while boarding, with impact on the travelling schedule (in case of delays while boarding caused by passengers, the train flow is not damaged, timing being once again set by automatic technological systems). All these advantages have determined the development of this particular industry encouraging research for innovative solutions. A relevant example is the Metrolab project implemented by the Public Transport Company in Paris (RATP) and Alstom. Therefore, the municipality seeks to implement automatic underground control systems and deliver innovative and 100% automatic solutions for urban transport, either for new networks or existing ones.
“Public mobility demand is growing and Metrolab will help us design a new generation of underground trains capable to meet the demand of big cities”, said Pierre Mongin, President RATP.
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