Hitachi Rail Italy Driverless Metro Explained

Hitachi Rail Italy Driverless Metro
Background:white
Service:2002–present
Manufacturer:Hitachi Rail Italy (formerly AnsaldoBreda)
Yearconstruction:2001–present
Numberbuilt:255 (as of 2019)
Formation:2–6 cars
Width:
    Height:3.4m–3.85mm (11.2feet–12.63feetm)
    Maxspeed:80km/h105km/h
    Electricsystem:
      Collectionmethod:
      • Contact shoe (third rail)
      • Pantograph (overhead line)

      The Hitachi Rail Italy Driverless Metro is a class of driverless electric multiple units and corresponding signaling system. Manufactured by Hitachi Rail Italy (formerly AnsaldoBreda) and Hitachi Rail STS (former name Ansaldo STS) in Italy, it is or will be used on the Copenhagen Metro, a people mover at Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University, the Brescia Metro, the Thessaloniki Metro, lines 4 and 5 of the Milan Metro, Line C of the Rome Metro, Skyline in Honolulu, and the Circular line of the New Taipei Metro. The first system to use this class of driverless electric multiple units was the Copenhagen Metro which was opened in 2002.

      The rolling stock consists of two to six articulated cars which operate on standard gauge. Each car has a power output of 210or, fed from a (except in Rome where it is overhead line). The systems are fully automated, consisting of automatic train protection (ATP), automatic train operation (ATO) and automatic train supervision.

      Rolling stock

      The rolling stock uses standardized car bodies, articulated together. The number of cars varies across the different systems where they are used. The trains used on the Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University system are 2-car units. For the other systems, the units vary between three and six cars, making the trains from NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet) long. They are 2.65m (08.69feet) wide, except the Rome Metro units which are 2.85sp=usNaNsp=us wide, and the Honolulu Skyline units which are 10feet wide to comply with Federal Railroad Administration regulations. The units vary from NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet) tall. Each car has two doors on each side, which are 1.3m (04.3feet) wide and 1.945m (06.381feet) tall.[1] The vehicles are designed by Giugiaro Design.[2]

      The three and four-car trains have six three-phase asynchronous motors per train, with each motor giving a power output of 105kW128kW, giving each train a power output of 630kW764kW. In each car, the two motors are fed by the car's own insulated-gate bipolar transistor. The trains are powered by 750 V bottom contact third rail in most applications, although in Honolulu the same voltage is used but the third rail instead top contact, while Rome uses 1500 V overhead wires. The trains' top speeds are NaNNaN, with an acceleration and deceleration capacity of 1.3m/s/s. Trains are fully compatible with platform screen doors, which are found at all stations in Brescia, Rome and Milan, Copenhagen, Honolulu, and Thessaloniki.[3] [4]

      SystemClassificationLineOpening dateTrainsCarsLength (m/ft)Width (m/ft)Power (kW/hp)Speed (kmph/mph)
      Series 100align=right 2013 align=right 18 align=right 3 39m (128feet) 2.65m (08.69feet) 630kW 80km/h
      A/B 01-34align=right 2002 align=right 34 align=right 3 39m (128feet) 2.65m (08.69feet) 630kW 90km/h
      align=right 2019 303 39m (128feet) 2.65m (08.69feet) 630kW 90km/h
      Skyline2023 20 align=right 4 78.2m (256.6feet)3.05m (10.01feet) align=center align=center 105km/h
      Series 4400align=right 2022 47 align=right 4 50.9m (167feet) 2.65m (08.69feet) 630kW 80km/h
      Series 5500align=right 2013 align=right 21 align=right 4 50.5m (165.7feet) 2.65m (08.69feet) 630kW 80km/h
      Series MC V00align=right 2014 align=right 30 align=right 6 109.4m (358.9feet) 2.85m (09.35feet) align=center align=center 90km/h
      New Taipei[5] [6] EMU101align=right 2020 17 align=right 4 68.43m (224.51feet) 2.65m (08.69feet) 1632kW 80km/h
      Sanying line2025 29 2
      align=right 2023 align=right 33 align=right 4 51m (167feet) 2.65m (08.69feet) 764kW 90km/h

      Automation

      The systems are controlled by a fully automated computer system, located at the control and maintenance center. The automatic train control (ATC) consists of three subsystems: automatic train protection (ATP), automatic train operation (ATO) and automatic train supervision (ATS). The ATP is responsible for managing the trains' speed, ensuring that doors are closed before departure and that switches are correctly set. The system uses fixed block signaling, except around stations, where moving block signaling is used.[7] The system has been designed and built by Union Switch & Signal.[8]

      The ATO is the autopilot that drives the trains in line with a pre-defined schedule, ensures that the train stop at stations and operates the doors. The ATS monitors all components of the network, including the rails and all trains on the system, and displays a live schematic at the control center. The ATC is designed so that only the ATP is safety-critical, and will halt trains if the other systems have faults. Other aspects of the system, such a power supply, ventilation, security alarms, cameras and pumps, are controlled by a system called "control, regulating and surveillance".

      The most common repairs are the grinding of the wheels; more complicated repairs are made by replacing entire components that are sent to the manufacturer. By having components in reserve, trains can have shorter maintenance times. The center also has the system's work trains, including a diesel locomotive that can fetch broken trains. At any time, there are four people working at the control center. Two monitor the ATC system, one monitors passenger information, while the last is responsible for secondary systems, such as power supply. In case of technical problems, there is always a team of technicians who can be sent to perform repairs. Although the trains are not equipped with drivers, there are stewards that help passengers, perform ticket controls and assist in emergency situations.

      Operators

      Brescia

      See main article: Brescia Metro.

      The Brescia Metro is a system which opened in March 2013 in Brescia, Italy. The 18km (11miles) system was built in three stages and has 17 stations. The system features a 90-second headway. ASM Brescia ordered 18 trains which are now being used on the Metro.[9] [10]

      Copenhagen

      See main article: Copenhagen Metro.

      The Copenhagen Metro, Denmark, consists of four lines, M1, M2, M3 and M4 that run 35.9km (22.3miles) serving 37 stations. The system opened in 2002 and was expanded in 2019 with further expansion being planned and evaluated. The first lines connects the city center to the areas of Frederiksberg and Amager, and Copenhagen Airport. The next extension, the City Circle Line opened on 29 September 2019. Metroselskabet took delivery of 34 three-car units between 2002 and 2007, and operates with a headway of between two and twenty minutes, including an all-night service. In April 2008, the Copenhagen Metro won the award at MetroRail 2008 for the world's best metro.[11]

      Honolulu

      See main article: Skyline (Honolulu).

      Skyline is a 10.8miles elevated rail line, planned to extend to 18.9miles, which will connect the city of Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi with outlying suburbs.[12] The first section of the line opened on June 30, 2023, with the entire 19-station route to be completed by 2031.[13]

      Lima

      See main article: Lima Metro.

      The Line 2 of Lima Metro and a branch of Line 4, which will connect the city of east to west in the first case and the portion of line 4 linking the Jorge Chavez International Airport with the line 2, is currently under construction. The line will be built in two phases, the first of which is scheduled to open in 2017 and the second in 2020. The total of the 2 lines will cost US$5,346,000.[14]

      Milan

      See main article: Milan Metro Line 5 and Milan Metro Line 4.

      The Milan Metro's Line 5 first section between Bignami and the interconnection with M3 at Zara opened on 10 February 2013. The second stage opened on 1 March 2014, and runs from Zara to Porta Garibaldi station. The third opened in 2015, and runs from Garibaldi to San Siro stadium. The fourth section will run from Bignami to Monza, and it is planned to open by 2027.[15] The first stage of was estimated to cost €500 million.[16] [17]

      Milan Metro's fourth line is currently under construction and will run from Linate Airport to San Cristoforo. It will be 15km (09miles) long with 21 stations.[18] The first section, running from Linate to Dateo, opened on 26 November 2022, while the completion of the line is expected to be in 2024.[19]

      Riyadh

      An 11·5 km metro serving the Princess Nora Bint Abdulrahman University on the outskirts of Riyadh opened in 2012.[20]

      Rome

      See main article: Line C (Rome Metro).

      Rome Metro's Line C is 25.5km (15.8miles) long, of which 17.6km (10.9miles) are underground. Metropolitana di Roma has ordered thirty six-car units, which are 20cm (10inches) wider than the other systems' vehicles, and capable of carrying 1,200 passengers per train. Average speed on the system is 35km/h, with the headway varying from three to twelve minutes.[21]

      Taipei

      See main article: Circular line (New Taipei Metro).

      The Yellow line or the Circular line of the New Taipei Metro, Taiwan, will serve as a cross-link between existing lines. The 49km (30miles) system will feature 42 or 41 stations. The 15.4km (09.6miles) phase 1 has 14 stations and was completed in January 2020.[22] The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation purchased 17 trainsets for this phase.[23]

      Thessaloniki

      thumb|Interior of a Thessaloniki Metro unit.

      See main article: Thessaloniki Metro.

      Construction on Greece's second metro system began in 2006 and is scheduled to open in phases from 2023,[24] at a cost of €1.57 billion ($ billion).[25] The 14.28km (08.87miles) system will feature 18 stations in 2021.[26] 33 driverless AnsaldoBreda units will be put to operation on the two lines. Those will be articulated in 4 sections with a capacity of 466 passengers (96 seated and 370 standing).[27]

      Notes and References

      1. Web site: Driverless metros . AnsaldoBreda . AnsaldoBreda . 4 November 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927230531/http://www.ansaldobreda.it/Portals/0/Contents/Prodotti/Urbantransport/Metros/Driverlessmetros/Pdf/107_ITA_driverless.pdf . 27 September 2013 . dead . dmy-all .
      2. Web site: Copenhagen Metro . Arcspace . 15 November 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090730020956/http://www.arcspace.com/architects/khr/metro/index.html . 30 July 2009 .
      3. En mini-metro med maksimal virkning . Haas . Torkil . 2002 . 2 . Jernbanen . 52–53 . da . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719124947/http://www.jernbaneklub.dk/jernbanen/2002/blad2-2002metro-togportr%C3%A6t.pdf . 2011-07-19 .
      4. Web site: Treni driverless . https://web.archive.org/web/20080804092021/http://www.metrocspa.it/treni.asp . 2008-08-04 . . 14 November 2009 . it.
      5. Web site: Sanying Line turnkey contract awarded . 2016-06-21 . Railway Gazette International . 2019-06-30 . 2017-11-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171125235014/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/sanying-line-turnkey-contract-awarded.html . dead .
      6. News: New Taipei showcases updated safety features of new Sanying Line trains . 30 August 2023 . Focus Taiwan . CNA.
      7. Bag om metroen . Jensen . Tommy O. . 2002 . 5 . Jernbanen . 32–41 . da . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719124850/http://www.jernbaneklub.dk/jernbanen/2002/blad5-2002bag-om-metroen-ny4.pdf . 2011-07-19 .
      8. Web site: Union Switch and Signal . March 2007 . Find Articles . 17 November 2009.
      9. Web site: Brescia To Build Automated Metro. June 2000 . . 17 November 2009.
      10. Web site: Ansaldobreda unveiled the first of 18 metro trains for the first metro line in the Italian city of Brescia . July 2009 . . 17 November 2009.
      11. Web site: København har verdens bedste metro . de Laine . Thomas . 2 April 2008 . Myldretid . 15 November 2009 . da.
      12. Web site: Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. Route Map. July 1, 2023.
      13. News: . Marking 'historic' milestone, scores line up on opening day to ride Honolulu's long-awaited rail. June 30, 2023. Hawaii News Now. July 1, 2023.
      14. Web site: Metro Line 2 will operate with driverless trains and will be 100 % automated. 28 April 2014 . Andina . 27 March 2016 . es.
      15. Web site: Cinisello, approvata collocazione della fermata della M5 in via Lincoln. 11 June 2019 . 10 April 2021. Web site: Stazione e duomo, nuove fermate per la linea 5 del metrò a Monza. 19 October 2017 . 10 April 2021.
      16. Web site: Milan Metro . March 2007 . . 17 November 2009.
      17. Web site: 500 million [euro] Italian metro deal . https://web.archive.org/web/20160110074343/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQQ/is_4_46/ai_n26695833/ . dead . 2016-01-10 . April 2006 . . 17 November 2009.
      18. Web site: Linea 4. www.metropolitanamilanese.it. Metropolitana Milanese. 22 July 2015. 15 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130615164227/http://www.metropolitanamilanese.it/pub/page/it/MM/metropolitane_milano?contentId=924. dead.
      19. Web site: Milan's fifth metro line: the M4! . Urban Transport Magazine . 26 November 2022.
      20. News: Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University driverless metro opens . Andy Hellawell . 21 August 2012 . . 22 August 2012 . 16 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130116042401/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban-rail/single-view/view/princess-nora-bint-abdul-rahman-university-driverless-metro-opens.html . dead .
      21. Web site: Apertura Linea C, già 2 anni di ritardo. February 13, 2013.
      22. News: Lee Hsin-Yin . 16 January 2020 . First section of MRT Circular Line gets approval to begin operations. Focus Taiwan CNA English News. Central News Agency (Republic of China). 2020-01-23.
      23. Web site: Ansaldo secures Taipei contract . April 2009 . Find Articles . 17 November 2009.
      24. Web site: Τον Απρίλιο του 2023 έτοιμο το Μετρό Θεσσαλονίκης Kathimerini. www.kathimerini.gr. 3 December 2019 . 2019-12-30.
      25. Web site: Attiko Metro S.A. . Funding . www.ametro.gr . 5 June 2018.
      26. Web site: Attiko Metro S.A. . Ιστορικό . History . el . www.ametro.gr . 17 August 2018.
      27. Book: Salonicco . . en . 11 September 2018 . 2 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200702203012/http://italy.hitachirail.com/en/salonicco_451.html . dead .