India is all set to move ahead with the next-generation infrastructure and the recent buzz on Driver-less metro signifies it!

New Delhi- Prime Minister flagged off India’s first driver-less metro train at Delhi’s metro magenta line. Commuters are quite thrilled with the new launch and are also awaiting further advancements on this track. Along with the driver-less metro, PM also announced the launch of the National Common Mobility Card and inter-operable transport facilities. It means now travelers can use a single card for traveling, paying toll duties, withdrawing money, and even retail shopping.

The official announcement from the top staff also claimed this driver-less metro’s proficiency that eliminates the error from humans. The initial service of this new metro train would run with pride on Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line. It connects the Janakpuri west station of west Delhi with Noida’s Botanical garden. Speculations are already out that this driver-less metro would extend to Delhi Metro’s pink line, i.e. Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar in or around mid-2021.
Indian transport heading towards the smart systems!

Prime Minister honored this proud moment by inaugurating the driver-less metro and proceeding towards the next-gen technology! He inaugurated this ground-breaking project and addressed the public through a virtual function.

Visioned by India’s former prime minister in 2014, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji; the metro rail services were first started in Delhi. Beginning with five main cities, now these services got stretched to 18 cities in India. By the end of 2025, the government plans to expand the metro rail service in more than 25 cities countrywide.

The 248 kilometer Metro line that began in 2014 would expand to a splurging rate of 1700 kilometers in the year 2025. After the new metro launch, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is about to hold elite global status with 7% of driver-less metro networks in the world.

Specifications

  • The new driver-less metro train would get operated through a centralized control operation system.
  • All possibilities of any manual errors can get avoided leading to reduced chances of unfortunate train accidents.
  • Time of journey would get reduced as the new driver-less metro would run at a much faster pace.
  • Also, the frequency of trains on the Delhi Metro line would increase.
  • UTO (Unattended train operation) system states that there is no manual force driving this train. However, there is a roaming operation inside the driver cabin to resolve the queries of the commuters.
  • An advanced communication system would control the operating commands to this new metro.
  • There is an in-built alarm in this new metro of 5 AM, which commands the metro train to activate all its control systems.
  • With the help of new technology, the new metro would begin a quick check on its operating systems before starting the first journey.
  • After the system check, the driver-less metro would reach the central platform from the yard and start working as per its timers set in advance.
    HD cameras are also in-built in the metro train to ensure the better safety of its commuters.
  • An automated system of this metro works on a CBTC (Communication based train control) system wherein the trains send a signal to the central control unit. Other trains are also monitored.
  • It ensures complete safety and security by maintaining a safe distance between two driver-less metro trains.
  • There are other advanced systems in this metro signal alarms, a High-resolution camera, real-time monitoring train equipment, and remote handling emergency alarm in-built in it.
  • Advanced door-sensors of this metro would ensure that the doors get closed only after they get into the train.
  • In the future, there won’t be any specific driver cabin so that travelers can directly witness the automated metro journey from the first seat.
  • In 1982, the first driverless metro got started in Japan.
  • After 18 years of that achievement, India introduced its first driverless metro on the Delhi Magenta line.
  • Artificial intelligence, high-speed internet technology, and modern advancements are channelizing the path to such innovations.

Technology manages all aspects of the technological advancement in various fields, using drones for surveillance, robots for surgical operations, and other high-tech equipment. It is overwhelming to witness the era where everything right from pizza delivery to the war battleground is manageable with human-less technology! People are now awaiting the driverless car to simplify their transport system with enhanced safety levels.

Urbanisation- A challenge or an opportunity!

Our Prime Minister looks up to ensure a futuristic infrastructure in the country that provides a better living. Dimensions of modernization are changing as the perspective is growth-oriented and not constrained to meet the urban lifestyle challenges. The best use of technological advancement proves that anything is achievable if one desires it. The driver-less metro rail line is definitive proof of the ‘Make In India’ scheme that mobilizes the workforce and resources from within the country.

Did you know?

  • The extension of the driver-less metro in Delhi would extend to the Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar by 2021.
  • Reports are that the new next-generation driver-less metro has a proposed extension of 94 Km, which comprises 9% of the entire metro network in Delhi.
  • Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) make a prestigious move by entering the elite 7% of participants from the world’s driver-less metro network.
    There are various automation standards for the successful run of these metro known as grades of automation (GoA).
  • GoA 1 trains refer to the single-driver metro while under GoA 2 and GoA 3, the driver’s part would restrict to the operation of doors only in emergencies.
  • However, the start and the halting system is still on an automated basis. And the GoA 4 trains are subject to 100% automatic operation mode.
  • Although DMRC announced this driverless technology in 2017, the unstable conditions and rigorous trial sessions took help upon its launch. The next launch was set on May 2020 which postponed to December due to the immediate lockdown after COVID-19.

Delhi and the whole of India are praising the new driver-less metro technology launched today! It would be interesting to see how rapidly the government promotes and expands this future-friendly technology all across the country.
India is exploring new horizons of advancement and kudos to the hard work, conceptualization, and core team’s efforts!