Metro experiment: A system for driverless trains

“The new signalling system will be different in the sense that the conventional ‘fixed block system’ (a block refers to the stretch between two stations) will be replaced by the ‘movable block system’ (a block will be decided by train location and speed),” a DMRC spokesperson said.

“Currently, each ‘fixed block’ has sensors on the side of tracks, which record the speed, identity, location and direction of trains. The communication is done via cables and associated physical infrastructure. In the new system, each ‘movable block’ will continuously transmit information to computers through radio waves. Computers will be aware of the status of all trains in the region, thus facilitating close monitoring and fast operations,” he said.

Although the current signalling system — Continuous Automatic Train Control or CATC — used by the DMRC also allows monitoring of train location and speed, emergency braking and door supervision, and can run trains with minimum intervention by train operators. For safety reasons, a two-minute gap between trains is maintained. “With the new system, the frequency of trains can be safely increased, with the interval reduced to less than 90 seconds,” the official said.

According to the DMRC, the CBTC will also help bring down costs because of less maintenance and fewer wayside signalling equipment. Besides, increased frequency is expected to result in increased line capacity and more trips by the same number of trains.

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