ALSTOM INAUGURATES INDIA’S FIRST SEMI-HIGH-SPEED REGIONAL TRAIN

Alstom reached a milestone for India’s rail revolution with the inauguration of RAPIDX with its rolling stock and signalling solutions provided by Alstom India.

The first phase i.e., the Duhai-Sahibabad section (17 kms) of the Delhi-Meerut corridor, also marks the world debut of the Level 3 ETCS (European Train Control System). This will not only contribute to safety, but also will facilitate interoperability, reduce wait time and enable efficiency. It will be equipped with Automatic Train Operation (ATO) over Long Term Evolution (LTE) in the future to further increase network performance and capacity.

Designed and manufactured in India, the RAPIDX reinstates Alstom’s commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat with end-to-end engineering, manufacturing and signalling work done in India. In the last two years, Alstom’s 360+ engineers & designers devoted thousands of hours and ran hundreds of hours of tests to deliver the phase-I commitments to National Capital Region Transport Corporation Ltd. (NCRTC). The company is aiming to also achieve its delivery commitments by 2025.

World debut of signalling technologies towards modernisation and improved efficiencies
Alstom India is making the world debut of European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 3 signalling, with integrated Platform Screen Doors using Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication with the RAPIDX. These solutions are designed and stacked together to provide utmost safety to passengers. A key feature of the technology being introduced in RRTS is interoperability, which facilitates seamless commuter movement across the corridors, without the hassle of changing the trains for passengers. ETCS signalling system will not only facilitate interoperability but will also allow to optimise the usage of existing infrastructure, thus reducing the waiting time for passengers. This signalling system provides high level of safety for trains running at close headway of 180 seconds by virtual block implementation (hybrid level 3) to ensure continuous and safe separation and eliminate accidents due to human error. This service also comes with Automatic Train Protection (ATP), Traffic Management System (TMS), Platform Screen Door (PSD) sub-systems using Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication between track side and train.

A one-of-its-kind 'Make in India' marvel
Designed at Alstom’s Hyderabad engineering center and manufactured at Savli (Gujarat), these trains perfectly align with the government’s Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat ambition. The rolling stock is based on Alstom’s Adessia commuter train family, incorporating worldwide experience. The propulsion systems and electricals are manufactured at the company’s factory in Maneja (Gujarat).

The RAPIDX will play a key role in promoting balanced and sustainable economic development of the region. The advanced, eco-friendly design will bring significant efficiencies through the incorporation of energy-saving technologies, including the modern car body, reliable bogies, efficient propulsion system and regenerative braking.

Outstanding ergonomics, safety and comfort, low life cycle costs and high recyclability also contribute to making these new commuter trains an attractive sustainable choice to promote public transport, thereby reducing traffic congestion, air pollution and fuel consumption. They help to save travel costs and time as well as to change the lives of millions of citizens by connecting suburban places with the economic centre of the region.