– Bengaluru’s first driverless metro train, aided by AI: All you need to know

Bengaluru’s first driverless metro train, aided by AI: All you need to know

Context- The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has received the first set of six train coaches for its under-construction yellow line. These coaches are part of the Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) system and are now set to undergo various safety tests. The 18.8 km-long yellow line, which will be the first to have a driverless train, connects RV Road and Bommasandra. This route links the southern part of Bengaluru to the city’s tech hub, housing offices of companies like Infosys, Wipro, and Tata Consultancy Services. The new line is expected to ease traffic on Hosur Road, which borders Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The fully elevated route with 16 stations connects with the existing Green Line at the RV Road station and with the Pink Line at Jayadeva Hospital station. The new train will also use artificial intelligence (AI) for the first time.

What is a CBTC-enabled driverless metro train?

• The Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) technology, as per the Indian Railways’ handbook, is a modern system that uses radio communication for transferring accurate and timely train control information.
• Jithendra Jha, Project Manager (rolling stock), BMRCL, describes CBTC as “one train talking to another train”. The yellow line will feature Unattended Train Operations (UTO), enabling full automation of tasks like opening and closing of doors, and stoppage and movement of trains.
• It will also have Enhanced Supervision Capability from the Operations Control Centre (OCC). Each morning, the train will “wake up” to a command from the OCC, activating the interior lights and starting the engine.
• The train will then undergo an automatic self-check for technical fitness, followed by cleaning at automated washing plants 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 produced by the Chinese company CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd, in collaboration with their domestic partners, Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd. This is part of the Make In India Initiative.
• In 2019, the Chinese firm secured a contract worth Rs 1,578 crore to supply 216 coaches to BMRCL.

How is Bengaluru Metro tapping into AI for the first time?

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be employed to monitor the tracks on the new line to ensure operational safety. AI algorithms will analyze data from sensors to identify anomalies such as cracks, wear and tear, or other irregularities along the track.
• Cameras mounted on trains will capture visual data, and AI-powered systems will analyze this data in real-time to detect safety concerns.

What are the other special features of the driverless metro train?

The driverless Bengaluru Metro train comes with several features and systems for safety and efficient operation:

• Hot axle detection system: This train monitoring system detects overheating in the train’s bearings. Temperature and diagnostic data are transmitted to the Operations Control Centre (OCC) via onboard antenna, wayside wireless equipment, and a telecom network at designated stations.
• Real-time location: The train is equipped with an LCD-type dynamic route map providing real-time information on doors’ status and train’s arrival/departure.
• Front view and rear-view camera: Rear-view cameras on both sides of the cars allow train operators to monitor passengers boarding and deboarding. The front-facing camera records front images for safety/security during driverless operations.
• Emergency Egress Device (EED) unit: In emergencies, passengers can operate a handle to send a request to the OCC/train operator, who will check the situation via CCTV camera and unlock the door if necessary.

Before commencing operations, the train must undergo several safety tests:

• The testing of the prototype train will begin at the Hebbagodi Depot with static testing, followed by elaborate tests on the mainline.
• The signalling test will start on March 8, followed by a test in dynamic conditions in early April, where 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?

• BMRCL officials have stated that Bengaluru’s driverless train will initially have a train operator for at least six months before it begins driverless operations. Revenue operations will start with seven trains operating at a frequency of 15 minutes until the rest of the trains are delivered.
• Unlike Delhi’s driverless metro train, BMRCL’s train has been designed with the driverless feature from the beginning, as retrofitting the feature later would be very costly.

When will the driverless trains be operational?

• The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has missed several deadlines due to delays in the delivery of rolling stocks from China. The manufacturing process is also slow due to inadequate facilities at Titagarh, which lacks comprehensive experience in building stainless steel body trains.
• The train must undergo at least 37 mainline tests over four months and signalling tests for a minimum of 45 days. Although the yellow line was initially set to be operational in 2022, it is now expected to start only by December 2024.

Conclusion- The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is making significant strides towards introducing a driverless train on its under-construction yellow line. Despite multiple delays due to the slow pace of manufacturing and delivery of rolling stocks from China, the project is progressing with comprehensive safety tests and system integration trials.

The new line, equipped with advanced features like the Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) system and artificial intelligence (AI), is expected to enhance the city’s public transportation system significantly. However, the line, initially set to be operational in 2022, is now expected to start only by December 2024. This ambitious project symbolizes the fusion of technology and infrastructure, aiming to provide a more efficient and safe commuting experience for the residents of Bengaluru.