The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) received the first set of six train coaches, which are part of the Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) system for its under-construction yellow line last month. It is now set to undergo various safety tests. The 18.8 km-long line, connecting RV Road and Bommasandra, will be the first to have a driverless train. The route connects south of Bengaluru to the city’s tech hub, which has offices of companies such as Infosys, Wipro and Tata Consultancy Services. It is also expected to decongest the traffic on Hosur Road, which borders Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. A fully elevated route with 16 stations, the line connects with the existing Green Line of the Bengaluru metro at the RV Road station and with the Pink Line at Jayadeva Hospital station. Here’s a breakdown of the new train, which will also use artificial intelligence (AI) for the first time, and its expected date of functioning. What is a CBTC-enabled driverless metro train? According to the Indian Railways' handbook, CBTC technology is a modern communication-based system that uses radio communication to transfer timely and accurate train control information. Jithendra Jha, Project Manager (rolling stock), BMRCL, explains that CBTC is “one train talking to another train”. The yellow line will have Unattended Train Operations (UTO), allowing full automation in tasks such as opening and closing of doors and stoppage and movement of trains, and Enhanced Supervision Capability from the Operations Control Centre (OCC). Every morning, the train will “wake up” to a command from the OCC. This will activate the interior lights and start the engine. The train then undergoes an automatic self-check to ensure its technical fitness. It will go through automated washing plants for cleaning, before moving to the platforms. At night, the train will enter a “sleep mode”. Who has manufactured and designed these trains? The coaches for the driverless Bengaluru Metro are manufactured by Chinese firm CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd, along with their domestic partners Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd. as part of the Make In India Initiative. The Chinese firm won a Rs 1,578 crore contract in 2019 to supply 216 coaches to BMRCL. How is Bengaluru Metro tapping into AI for the first time? AI will be used to monitor tracks on the new line for the safety of operations. AI algorithms can analyse data from sensors to detect anomalies such as cracks, wear and tear or other irregularities along the track. Cameras mounted on trains can capture visual data and AI-powered systems can analyse it in real-time to detect safety concerns. What are the other special features of the driverless metro train? Hot axle detection system: It is a train monitoring system that detects overheating in the bearings of the trains. Temperature data and diagnostic data are transmitted to OCC via an onboard antenna, wayside wireless equipment and telecom network at designated stations. Real-time location: The driverless train is equipped with an LCD-type dynamic route map. This will provide information on doors opening or closing and on the arrival Front view and rear-view camera: Rear-view cameras are on both sides of the cars so that train operators can view the passengers boarding and deboarding before train departure. The front-facing camera will record the front images for safety/security purposes during driverless operations. Emergency Egress Device (EED) unit: During an emergency, passengers can operate the handle till it reaches the ‘REQUEST’ position. A request will go to the OCC/train operator, who will check the situation via CCTV camera and let the door unlock. What safety tests must the train undergo before commencing operations? The testing of the prototype train will begin at the Hebbagodi Depot. After three to four days of static testing, the train will be undergoing elaborate tests on the mainline. Jha said that the signalling test will begin on March 8, followed by a test in dynamic conditions in early April. Here, the train will be tested on collisions, and detection of obstacles, among other features. System integration tests with the Signaling system, Telecommunications system, and Power Supply system will be carried out. Statutory safety tests will include trials by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS). Based on their approvals, technical approval of the Railway Board will be obtained before introducing trains for revenue service. Will the driverless train really be driverless? According to BMRCL officials, Bengaluru’s driverless train will consist of a train operator for at least six months, initially, before beginning driverless operations. Further, they will begin revenue operations with seven trains operating with a 15-minute frequency, until the rest of the trains are delivered. Jha explains that, unlike Delhi’s driverless metro train, BMRCL’s train is retrofitted and designed with the driverless feature from the beginning. He adds that adding the feature later would incur huge expenses. When will the driverless trains be operational? The BMRCL has missed multiple deadlines, owing to the delay in the delivery of the rolling stocks from China. The manufacturing of trains is also underway at a slow pace because of the lack of facilities at Titagarh, which does not have full-fledged experience in building stainless steel body trains. Further, the train has to undergo at least 37 tests on the mainline for four months and signalling tests for at least 45 days. The yellow line, which was set to be operational in 2022, is now expected to start only by December 2024.
