Soon, you may be travelling in a "driverless" Delhi Metro! Yes, you read it right! The first driverless trains for Delhi Metro, equipped with advanced features are here! Delhi Metro plans to operate these new super-cool coaches on sections of the Phase-III network. The new trains, which will incidentally begin service with drivers for a short period, are expected to be operational by the end of next year. For unattended operation, stringent trials will be held. Internationally, such trials generally take about one to one and a half years. Many new Metro systems world over are adopting this new technology. (Photo Source: DMRC)
According to the DMRC, the new trains will run on the over 58 km-long Majlish Park-Shiv Vihar (Line 7) and the over 38 km-long Janakpuri (West)- Botanical Garden (Line 8) corridors of the Phase-III, and both these sections are expected to be operational by the end of 2016. (Photo source: DMRC)
According to DMRC, these trains are significantly upgraded and eco-friendly. "They also have additional features to increase passenger comfort and are designed for a maximum speed of 95 kmph and operational speed of 85 kmph," DMRC says. (Photo source: DMRC)
Though drivers will be deputed for operating the trains, they will be gradually withdrawn to move to unattended train operation (UTO). (Photo source: DMRC)
"These new-generation trains are suitable to eventually run on UTO mode, that is, train operators will not be required to operate these trains and the Operations Control Centres (OCC) of the Delhi Metro system will directly regulate the movement of the trains," says DMRC. (Photo source: DMRC)
Some features: On-board CCTV cameras for inside and outside view of the train. The CCTV images could be directly accessed by the control centre in driverless mode. (Express photo)
The six-coach train was ferried by sea and arrived at Gujarat's Mundra port and was brought by road to Delhi on specially-made trailers. Each coach can accommodate a maximum of 380 passengers, which translates to 2,280 passengers in each train set of 6 coaches. (Express photo)
Dynamic Route Maps in each door panel will let passengers know their journey status. (Express photo)
These are said to be more energy efficient than earlier trains because of better regeneration of energy during braking, energy efficient sub systems like LED lighting and air conditioning systems. (Express photo)
