Bengaluru to debut driverless trains: All you need to know

Chinese-made driverless train prototype at Bengaluru

Bengaluru Metro's first driverless prototype train for the Yellow Line arrived in Bengaluru from China via Chennai port last week. The 19 km - Yellow Line connects RV Road with Bommasandra near Electronics City, which houses major companies such as Infosys and Biocon, and is expected to be operational by September 2024.

Currently, BMRCL operates 57 trains on the Purple (Challaghatta - Whitefield) and Green Lines (Nagasandra - Silk Institute), all manufactured by Bengaluru-based BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited). Moneycontrol delves deep into Bengaluru's first driverless Metro trains.

Also, read:  Chinese-made driverless train prototype for Electronics City Metro reaches Bengaluru

What is driverless technology?

Driverless trains are being introduced as part of the Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system for the Yellow Line. This is the first time CBTC, commonly known as 'driverless technology,' has been implemented in the Bengaluru Metro. Currently, Namma Metro operates with the DTG (distance-to-go) signalling system, wherein the time between two trains is two and a half minutes. However, CBTC can decrease train headway to less than 90 seconds.

MC Explains

Why are trains being imported from China?

In December 2019, CRRC's subsidiary, CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd, emerged as the lowest bidder to deliver 216 new coaches. In February 2020, Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) signed a contract with CRRC, and the firm was scheduled to supply all of them by December 2023. However, it has missed multiple deadlines. The first CBTC train was supposed to be delivered in 87 weeks (1.6 years) but was ultimately delivered on February 14, 2024.  Of the total, 126 (21 six-coach DTG trains) will be deployed on the Purple and Green lines. The remaining 90 coaches (15 six-coach trains) are for the Yellow Line. CRRC quoted the lowest amount in the tender, which was about Rs 400 crore less than BEML’s bid.

Also, read: MC Explains: Overcrowded Bengaluru Metro coaches: Fallout of Indo-China conflict

Below is the video of the CBTC first Driverless Metro Train run on the test track yesterday. pic.twitter.com/FIZRRWopHt

— Srivas Rajagopalan (@srivasrbmrccoi1) February 21, 2024

What is the status of the prototype train?

The prototype of the first six-coach train manufactured by CRRC was shipped from Shanghai port in China on January 24, reached Chennai port on February 6, and finally arrived in Bengaluru on February 14. The coupling of the prototype driverless train for Bengaluru Metro's Yellow Line has been completed, and it has been moved to the Inspection Bay Line (IBL) in the Hebbagodi depot. At present, there are seven CRRC personnel in Bengaluru.  In addition to this, eight CRRC personnel have applied for e-visas and are expected to get it shortly. Currently, the CRRC team is reconnecting various mechanical, pneumatic, and electrical connections. BMRCL is planning to start static tests in two days, followed by tests on the test track and then on the main line. The train is likely to be brought onto the main line by March 7.

Will BMRCL deploy drivers on the Yellow Line trains?

BMRCL officials said that they will continue to deploy drivers on trains running on the Yellow Line. They said trains will be tested for GoA-2 mode of operation, which involves the presence of a driver. The commercial service will initially commence with drivers. Subsequently, BMRCL will commence testing for driverless operation (GoA-4 : driverless mode of operation). The commencement of commercial service in the GoA-4 mode is upon authorisation from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS). Currently, BMRCL operates at GoA-2, where trains run automatically from one station to another, and drivers are responsible for opening and closing doors, obstacle detection on tracks, and operating trains in case of disruptions. Presently, Metro systems in more than 40 cities worldwide utilise advanced GoA-4, allowing trains to operate without drivers. Unattended Train Operation (UTO), operating on the GoA-4 system, facilitates automatic operation without any staff on board. Once the line transitions to UTO,  the train can accommodate more passengers as the driver’s cabin will be removed.

Is it the first driverless train in India?

No. India’s first driverless train operation was inaugurated on December 28, 2020 on the Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line (Line 8) .

Will the driverless train perform the automatic self-check?

Yes. Every morning, the train will commence its services with an early morning 'wake-up’ command from the Operations Control Centre (OCC). This command will activate the interior lights and start the engine. Following this, an automatic self-check will ensure the technical fitness of the train before it proceeds through automated washing plants for cleaning. Subsequently, the train will move onto the platforms. At night, the train will enter 'sleep mode' preparing for the same procedure to be repeated the following morning.

Apart from the driverless operational feature, what are the other features of the CRRC-manufactured train?

i) The dynamic route map indicator provides real-time location information of the train to passengers during the journey. Currently, static maps are affixed in BEML coaches, posing difficulty for newcomers to the city.

ii) The side indicator allows any coach to be reserved for women. Currently, the first coach is reserved for women passengers. The side indicator, along with train number and destination, can display 'reserved for ladies only' in any coaches.

iii) Automatic axle box temperature monitoring will be implemented in both CRRC's CBTC and DTG trains. Currently, the temperature of the axle box is not monitored. Now, with this proven technology, if the temperature exceeds 70 degrees Celsius, it indicates an issue with the axle box bearing at OCC. This condition monitoring enables the replacement of the axle box bearing before a failure occurs on the line.

iv) The automatic track monitoring feature in two trains will also be deployed. One such train can serve as a pilot train, and the track monitoring system will automatically check the track condition. In case of any issues, it will generate alerts using Artificial Intelligence (AI) software. This system is equipped with a camera-based setup where track images are sent to the server. This feature is only for CBTC trains, as DTG trains have limitations in transferring track images to OCC.

v) Instead of manual uploading, advertisements displayed on trains will be able to be uploaded automatically from the OCC.

vi) It will also include passenger alarm buttons, allowing a distressed passenger during the metro ride to contact the OCC for assistance.

Also, read: In a first, Bengaluru Metro will use AI to monitor tracks

What about the remaining trains?

The DTG prototype train is currently undergoing HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) testing at CRRC's plant in China, and is expected to reach Bengaluru by June 2024. The remaining 204 coaches will be manufactured by its domestic partner, Titagarh Rail, as part of the Make In India initiative. Titagarh Rail Systems is expected to supply two train sets of six coaches each every month to BMRCL starting from April 2024, to complete the entire order within the timeline of March 2025.

When will the Yellow Line become operational?

BMRCL officials said testing, trial runs, and approvals will take nearly six months. The train will be shifted to the mainline for around 15 tests. Following this phase, approvals from the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS), Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), and the Railway Board will be required, as it involves new rolling stock. There will be 37 tests lasting four months, followed by signalling tests for 45 days. BMRCL officials emphasised that CRRC and Titagarh need to supply six to seven trains before operations can commence on the Yellow Line. CRRC has already delivered two train car body shells to Titagarh for outfitting works, and these two trains are expected to be delivered in May, followed by two trains every month. While BMRCL's target is to start operations on the Yellow Line by July 2024, it seems likely to commence only by September 2024.