Chennai Metro plans to run driverless metro trains in Phase 2 corridors

Chennai (Urban Transport News): With aims to cut operational cost, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is planning to procure and run driverless metro trains in Chennai Metro Phase 2 corridors. However, driverless train operations will not be implemented in the existing corridors of the Phase 1 project. The trains which are being run on 45 km long Chennai Metro's phase 1 corridors do not have the facility to operate trains in UTO (Unattended Train Operation) mode.

The Chennai Metro Rail has planned to operate driverless trains in the three corridors planned under its Phase 2 project. The total length of the metro rail network planned in phase 2 is 118.9 km, where the entire operation of a train will be automatic. To run trains in UTO mode different signal systems required and the trains being operated on Chennai Metro's phase 1 corridors running are running on different systems hence, trains on both phases cannot be interchanged. Explaining the system requirements, a Chennai Metro official said,

The signal software controls the entire operation of the train as well as its associated systems. The rolling stock may look the same, but the software will vary in both corridors. So, we cannot operate a train designed for phase-2 on phase-1.

Chennai Metro has planned to run about 138 three-car trains at 4-10 minute frequency to carry a projected 19.2 lakh commuters daily after commissioning the first legs of phase 2  in 2025. The CMRL will increase its fleet to 254 trains in both phases to cater to an estimated daily ridership of 43.5 lakh commuters. In phase 2 corridors, there will be a different signal software controls operation of the train, automatic train announcements on the train and in stations, platform screen doors, automatic fare collection gates, and information display boards on the platforms.

Sources said that due to the technologically incompatible rolling stock trains, Chennai Metro commuters will have to exit phase 2 stations and reach phase-1 lines through exclusive subways and walkways planned. Interchanges facility will be provided at least six stations. They are KMC, CMBT, Anna Nagar, Vadapalani, Nandanam and St Thomas Mount.

It is not because of the trains, but the stations planned in phase-2 would not be built on the same road as phase-1. For instance, KMC station will come up on Barnaby Road while the present Kilpauk station is on Poonamallee High Road. Commuters will have to use a walkway we will build to link the stations for switching corridors.

The operation control of UTO trains will be controlled by the operations control center (OCC) staff. In case of emergencies, the OCC staff will take control of the operation until a controller of the nearest station, trained to operate a train, reaches the spot.