Bhopal and Indore Metro Rail : Safe and Smooth Travel

 

Bhopal and Indore Metro Rail : Safe and Smooth Travel

Every citizen wants his journey to be safe and smooth during any type of travel, and safety is the most important topic during travel for any citizen. That’s why they choose such transport during travel, so they can travel safely and smoothly. There should be no danger to his life or property during the journey. Keeping in view these feelings of passengers and citizens, Metro Rail provides special care to be taken for safety and convenience in metro rail service. The safety of passengers has been prioritised in all aspects of the metro rail system, which is set to begin soon in Madhya Pradesh’s capital Bhopal and Industrial city Indore. Let us have a look at what kind of advanced equipment is being used for the safety of the passengers in the metro rail and how the safety system of the metro works.

Automatic Train Control

Metro trains run under the control of a system known as ATC (Automatic Train Control). The ATC system was designed to allow minimal involvement from train operators. The metro’s design aimed to provide the safest, most efficient, and most comfortable operation possible — something it has largely achieved. Trains running in a metro system can be operated automatically or manually by operators. Either way, they are subjects of an ATC system.

ATC requires three subsystems to function.

Automatic Train Protection (ATP) is the most important. In short, this system prevents two trains from arriving at the same place at the same time. In addition to controlling interlockings (crossovers or switches), the ATP system maintains a safe distance between trains and allows for a safe stopping distance through speed regulation. Additionally, the ATP system prevents trains from exceeding the PSR/TSR of any section on track. Another feature of the ATP prevents the train doors from opening until the train is properly on the platform. ATP supports train operation in both manual and automatic. If a train exceeds the regulated speed, Full-service brake/Emergency brake is applied until the train is brought down to the regulated speed.

Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) keeps trains running on time at Mainline. This system facilitates the Operations Control Center staff to provide Movement Authority for trains servicing on the Mainline. It also takes into account the train’s scheduled departure and arrival times and, based on the defined Timetable, ATS increases or decreases train speed, as well as automatically increasing or decreasing platform dwell time to automatically manage the Timeline.

Automatic Train Operation (ATO) integrates some of these aspects

The above aspects of the ATC system allow the train to automatically adjust certain parameters.

Train Speed

Metro tracks no longer have signals in the same way that older subways do. Physical signals are present only at Switches. They can display following aspects to the operator: stop, Proceed, proceed with caution speed, Proceed with divergence. A “Stop” sign is shown with red lights indicating the section occupied by train or Route not set. A proceed aspect is a Green light indicating the upcoming section is unoccupied by a train and Route is set for movement. A Proceed with caution speed is violet light indicating Overlap of destination signal is occupied. On other parts of the track, equipment along the trackway transmits the appropriate information for passing trains to the ATC system. The ATC system is designed to maintain a safe distance between trains. It communicates with wayside instruments i.e, Radio Antennas, Axle counters, Beacons and transmits regulated speed commands to trains. The ATC system brings down the regulated speed as the next train approaches the preceding train, setting the speed to zero until the minimum safe stopping distance is reached. As the previous train moves ahead, the regulated speed of the next train comes up.

Regulation speed, as mentioned above, depends on automatic and manual operation. In Automatic mode of operation, it automatically applies the brakes if vital conditions are violated. However, the system supports other modes when ATC becomes unfit. For example, when a train is stuck and must be pushed to the next station, the next train must be able to enter the same block. Under these circumstances, the trains are manually operated in a separate “mode” that limits their speed to Twenty-five km per hour. If an obstacle is observed on the Mainline, the operator may push an emergency stop button called a “mushroom” because of its shape!

Security arrangements at metro rail stations

The arrangements have already been briefed for the security of the passengers inside the metro rail and what kind of security will be there in the train; now let’s talk about the security arrangements in the metro station which will be equipped with CCTV cameras. It can be said that the way the security arrangements are at the airport, anyone will see similar security arrangements at metro stations too.

Managing Director is frequently reviewing the project

Mr. Manish Singh, Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation, is constantly monitoring the progress of the Metro Rail construction work in Bhopal and Indore. He is constantly reviewing the progress of all kinds of work in Bhopal and Indore together with the officers and contractors and is also giving directions to complete all the construction works within the time limit. If we look at the ongoing construction work of Indore Metro Rail under his guidance, the metro viaduct will be 17.2 km long under the priority corridor. Civil and non-civil construction works are in full swing, and till now, 83 percent of pile foundation has been laid for the viaduct. The civil work of the metro rail station is also in progress, out of which 94 percent pile foundation, 100 percent of the open foundation and 70 percent work of pier pillars have also been completed. Till now, 33 percent of pile work has also been completed in Gandhi Nagar Depot.