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Bengaluru's First Driverless Metro: Trials To Begin End June
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is set to start trials for its first driverless train in Bengaluru. The imported coaches are currently undergoing various tests. Once these are complete, the trains will be put through signalling tests to ensure they can operate without a driver.
Across India, metro rail corporations are working on upgrading their networks. A key focus is on introducing driverless trains, which can operate autonomously. Bengaluru is poised to become the first city in India to have a driverless metro system.
BMRCL plans to operate driverless trains on the newly constructed Yellow Line, running from Bommasandra to RV Road. The coaches for these trains were procured from China and arrived in Bengaluru in February. Currently, BMRCL officials are testing the electrical circuits and lights in the coaches.
Once these tests are complete, the coaches will undergo vital signalling tests. Signalling technology is crucial for enabling driverless trains to operate fully automatically. This technology helps prevent accidents and rectify any errors that might occur while the train is in motion.
Infrastructure and Testing
The Yellow Line has already been equipped with the necessary infrastructure for the signalling system. BMRCL plans to run test trains on this line to assess the functionality of the signalling system. These trials are expected to begin by the end of this month.
If successful, only a few more tests will remain. Typically, a metro train has to undergo 37 tests before it becomes operational for the public. For the Yellow Line, the main line has been laid from Bommasandra, passing through Electronic City, Silk Board, and Jayadeva before connecting to RV Road metro station.
Key Features of the Yellow Line
The Green Line is already operational on RV Road. The Yellow Line will have a total of 16 metro stations and cover a distance of 18.82 km. Of this, 3.13 km will be covered by a double-decker viaduct.
From Silk Board to Ragigudda, the double-decker viaduct will feature a road at ground level, a flyover for vehicles above it, and the metro rail line on top. This double-decker viaduct is set to become a major landmark in Bengaluru.
Benefits for IT Employees
Once operational, likely by the end of this year, the Yellow Line is expected to benefit employees of major IT companies. The Electronic City area is home to several IT companies, and many of their employees reside in and around Silk Board. The metro will provide them with a convenient mode of transport.
DriveSpark Thinks
Driverless metros were once thought of as something out of a science fiction movie. However, with technological advancements, it is becoming a reality. There is a good chance that in the future, all metro trains operating in India will be driverless.
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