By Zhang Lipeng in Beijing | CRRC | Updated: 08/02/2018
On February 1, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd introduced the latest generation of small- and medium-capacity straddle-type monorail train. Straddle-type monorail has won the favor of many cities for its small floor area, high climbing capacity and energy-saving and environmental-protection features. The new-generation monorail train introduced on February 1 is based on more than 10 years of operational experience and research data, using the latest scientific and technological achievements in fully automatic driving, permanent magnet traction, and cold and snow resistance. It has a larger passenger capacity, and at the same time weighs less, saves energy, and reduces engineering and operating costs. It is set to be another star in the family of urban rail trains.
Another Name for Safety and Stability
The new-generation straddle-type monorail trains introduced this time include large, small- and medium-sized, and small models for option. Depending on passenger flow, they can be flexibly grouped. The maximum capacity of a 4-car train unit is 962, 792 and 552, respectively. The train body has a large curved, streamlined surface coupled with modern color painting, giving passengers a sense of speed and the times. The use of a more sophisticated biaxial bogie and air spring suspension system has solved the technical problems with the stability and comfort of monorail vehicles and improved passenger experience. At the same time, all the running gears are arranged beneath the floor, and as a result they cannot be seen in the car, making the interior more spacious and transparent.
Safety and stability are top priorities for urban traffic managers. Since the production of the first straddle-type monorail train at CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd in 2004, the 770 monorail trains it has manufactured deliver a daily average passenger capacity of 1.3 million. During the operation, technicians have accumulated a large amount of operational data and train maintenance experience. They solved various technical problems that might arise due to different geographical environments and road conditions, and have perfected and innovated on the basis of this, making the trains especially adaptable and stable.
“Black Technology" throughout the Train Body
The new-generation straddle-type monorail train prioritizes reliability, and at the same time its rail equipment is equipped with cutting-edge technology.
The train adopts fully-automatic driving technology to provide optimal traction and braking curve and operation plan through an automated network control system, so as to shorten the departure interval and improve operation efficiency. The train’s power system uses a permanent magnet traction motor with a light weight, a small size, high efficiency, less maintenance and other features. It has realized weight reduction, efficiency increasing, energy saving and environmental protection. At the same time, the train also uses carbon fiber composite materials on some components to further reduce the weight of the vehicle by over 25% and thus reduce energy consumption by 22.7%. To ensure safety, the train is equipped with emergency battery traction. When the power supply equipment fails, the train can use the battery to pull the vehicle to the nearest station, where passengers are transferred. At the same time, there are a variety of reliable rescue methods that can provide technical support for the safety of the monorail vehicle.
To cope with cold weather, the train is equipped with the core technology developed for train units running in extremely cold environments, providing professional and perfect solutions for cold areas to ensure the normal start-up and operation of the vehicle in temperatures as low as -40℃. Through collaboration, we developed a specialized vehicle for breaking ice and clearing away snow. It can operate unimpededly under all extreme road conditions.
Customized Cost Management Experts
Relatively low building and purchase costs are one of the advantages of monorail trains. The new-generation straddle-type monorail train introduced this time adopts a design of light weight, low axle weight and efficient power supply to save operation cost and at the same time greatly reduce civil engineering and power supply facilities along rail lines, thereby reducing project cost. Since all parts of the train are independently developed and manufactured by China, the costs of procurement and operation and maintenance have been further reduced.
The vehicle adopts a modular design, and the user can opt for flexible configurations based on actual needs, such as the installation of an Ethernet system for train control, single-train power pack, intelligent passenger information system, intelligent particle color glass windows and other upgrades. Customization of transportation equipment is not a dream any more.
The new-generation small- and medium-capacity straddle-type monorail train introduced this time is both secure and advanced. It will once again serve the increasingly busy urban transport with personalized solutions.
If you want to know more information about this, please contact zhanglipeng@crrcgc.cc.