By Zhang Lipeng in Beijing | CRRC | Updated: 09-Apr-2018
It's reported that Pujiang Line of Shanghai Rail Transit adopts the new-generation INNOVIA APM 300 developed by Bombardier (Puzhen), which is called by experts the world most advanced unmanned APM. It ushers in a new era for domestic rail transit.
APM (Automated-People-Mover-Systems) is an automatic passenger delivery system. It is a fully automatic unmanned transit technology mostly applied to short-distance ferry lines within an airport. In 2014, Bombardier and CRRC Puzhen co-founded a joint venture, CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co., Ltd, to engage in system design, production, integration, and sales of straddle monorail and APM. Trains of Pujiang Line are the first APM project launched by the joint venture since it went into operation in China.
From an overall perspective, APM features unmanned operation, dedicated line, glue wheel, monorail guide, and full automation. It belongs to the self-guided rail transit system and totally differs from metro, light rail, and other existing urban rail transit modes. This is why Shanghai Metro Line 8 (Phase 3) is called Pujiang Line.
What is the charm of APM?
Automatic Unmanned Operation
The technical core of the APM for Pujiang Line lies in that trains run automatically relying completely on the system control center. That is, the train runs at the highest driverless level GOA4, and has neither head/tail cab nor trainmen. The front and rear view is clear. The core electromechanical system, stations, and other supporting facilities are all designed and integrated according to the highest level of driverless requirements. Especially, the core electromechanical system integrates the vehicle, signal, track, supply track, ISCS, communication, PSD, and critical processing equipment at vehicle base, as well as project management and maintenance subsystems, and is a unique system capable of realizing linkage and perfect fit between various subsystems.
Centralized Dispatching from Control Center
Since APM is an automatic passenger delivery system, operation of all trains and stations of Pujiang Line is under centralized dispatching and surveillance of the control center. Different from the "local PA system" provided by normal metro stations, stations along Pujiang Line do not set a specific train control room, and passenger addressing messages are sent from the control center remotely. To master onsite dynamics in time, Pujiang Line sets an intercom system at stations and trains, through which passengers can seek for help from trainmen in case of an emergency. Furthermore, Pujiang Line is provided with an advanced signal system, which operates in automatic unmanned mode, to reduce the running interval and increase departure frequency. This ensures operation safety and further reduces the waiting time.
Energy-Saving, Safety, and Humanized Design
APM trains of Pujiang Line incorporate light-weight body, regenerative brake, and smart power management system, to minimize power consumption. In terms of safety, trains of Pujiang Line are provided with high-reliable "run-flat wheels &tires" following the "safe guiding" principle. Regarding humanized design, compared with the 1400mm wide door of type-A metro train, the door width of Pujiang Line trains has reached 1980mm, more convenient for passengers to get on and off the train, so as to reduce the dwelling time, shorten departure internal, and increase departure frequency. Additionally, Pujiang Line sets a wheelchair zone in the first carriage as running towards the Huizhen Road or in the last carriage as running towards the Shendu Highway Station. Passengers can wait at specified doors by following station guide boards.
An Immeasurable Prospect
Industrial experts point out that AMP of Pujiang Line has many incomparable merits.
For example, trains are equipped with solid nitrogen-charged rubber tires which enable quick and silent move on concrete surface and produce little vibration. The whole line is erected overhead to occupy less land and have a small turning radius and strong gradeability. Due to the low construction and maintenance cost, it's very suitable for traffic between adjacent neighborhoods.
Second, it uses ±DC375 DC supply without stray current, to reduce arc discharge. The bogie is basically network controlled, and critical systems are mostly subject to hardline control, featuring simple structure and extremely high management &maintenance efficiency.
Third, the origin station, terminal station, and sections near depots are provided with the automatic track-transfer function enabling seamless transition of driving directions, to facilitate trains in head/tail switch and entering depots for maintenance.
Without doubt, operation of Pujiang Line trains produced by CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co., Ltd has contributed a "CRRC solution" for the rail transit modes of airport metro, remote suburb communities, scenic spots, large amusement parks, or even tire-3 or tier-4 cities.
Currently, CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co., Ltd is fulfilling its potential in the "unmanned driving" field. Besides Shanghai Metro Line 8 that has been put into trial run, the Hong Kong Airport Express, Shanghai Metro Line 14, Line 10, Suzhou Metro Line 5, straddle monorails in Wuhu and Liuzhou, as well as the metro and straddle monorail launched in Thailand, all run in unmanned mode.
If you want to know more information about this, please contact with zhanglipeng@crrcgc.cc