[Pics] RDSO Conducts Test Runs to Assess Kochi Metro

A day after the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. conducted a trial run clocking speeds of 90 km/hr on September 25, a team from the Indian Railways’ Research, Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) in Lucknow visited Kochi and conducted their own trial runs on the 9 km completed section of the metro line between Muttom and Palarivottom. These runs were conducted between September 26 and October 5 during which various tests were performed with an aim to ensure passenger safety & comfort prior to the services being launched in 2017.

The RDSO team initially operated empty trains and later filled the coaches up with sand bags to assess their performance with added weight. Components of the trains were fitted with sensors and transducers to record values of the train’s interaction with different sections of the viaduct and other elements. Besides oscillation tests, parameters such as braking distance at different speeds & gradients, and efficiency of the third rail were also measured. In addition, they performed a test to see if a train can pull another potentially stranded train back to the Muttom Depot and to the nearest station.

Muttom – Palarivattom section – View Kochi Metro map and information

Video:

Images:

Photo Copyright: Kochi Metro Rail

Photo Copyright: Kochi Metro Rail

Photo Copyright: Kochi Metro Rail

Photo Copyright: Kochi Metro Rail

Photo Copyright: Kochi Metro Rail

Photo Copyright: Kochi Metro Rail

Photo Copyright: Kochi Metro Rail

The RDSO team’s report is expected to be submitted in November and will be sent to the Commissioner for Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) along with other approvals in order to start commercial operations in 2017.

On a different note, the communication-based train control (CBTC) signalling system is expected to go live in November after which integrated trial runs to test all systems will begin on the 13 km Aluva – Pallarivottom stretch.

For more updates, check out the Kochi section of the The Metro Rail Guy!

– TMRG