Page 148 - Technology Roadmap Transportation

TECHNOLOGY VISION 2035

in the long run for maintenance. Initial import levels 1, 2 and 3 depending upon the nature of
followed by indigenous development for long track to vehicle communication[24].
term sustenance, like the strategy adopted by
China, is advisable. ERTMS is now a proven technology and would
be needed in the future for Indian Railways to
3.1.2 Technologies related to Freight Operation achieve the planned objectives. This is complex,
Heavy haul is considered to be one of the involves multi-disciplinary technologies, and
most efficient methods of increasing freight needs huge investments. Developing totally
throughput, if proper technology is applied. indigenous systems would take enormous time,
Under this, many technology areas need to get but to sustain in the future, possession of this
developed, including technology with Indian industries (even with
foreign tie-ups) would be essential. To begin with,
(i) wagons with higher payload to tare ratio,
this technology needs to be bought from proven
(ii) use of higher axle load, sources with a phased plan for indigenisation.
(iii) use of long trains with radio controlled
distributed power (RDP), 3.1.4 Technologies related to safety
• Coaches with better crashworthiness
(iv) use of long trains with wired distributed Design of coaches with better crash worthiness,
power (WDP) and which is an area that would need outside support,
at least in the form of consultancy[25].
(v) IT enabled freight operations management
service with end-to-end wagon tracking • Accidents at level crossings
system. Highest numbers of fatalities over IR occur
due to accidents at unmanned level crossings.
The status of each technology and availability of
resources is detailed in Table 3.2 In ERTMS ( The European Railway Traffic
management) territories, interlocking of level
crossing would be taken care of as part of the
3.1.3 Technologies related to Signalling and basic requirement. However, many level crossings,
Traffic Management System
The type of signalling and traffic management due to its low traffic (train vehicle units), are not
affects the overall efficiency and safety of financially justified. Alternative technologies must
be developed in such cases to avert accidents.
operation. European railways were the pioneers This can very well be achieved indigenously with
in evolving a standard for automation in this
area – ETCS (European Train Control System) available resources.
– which involves provisioning in both trackside • Accidents due to extremism and vandalism
and on-board the vehicle. Depending upon this This is a requirement which is very difficult to
provisioning and safety levels, there evolved implement. Suitable technology must be evolved
ETCS levels 0, 1, 2 and 3. ETCS level 3, together to detect suspicious movements and extremist
with GSM-R evolves ERTMS, which also has activities on the track. On the rolling stock side

TABLE 3.2: FREIGHT OPERATION TECHNOLOGIES

SL No Associated Technology Availability of Resources Indigenously

Wagons with higher payload to tare weight ratio Outside support is needed. Involves use of
1
(above 3.5) special composite materials
Development may be possible indigenously.
Use of higher axle load (25t, 30t and 35t)
2 As the impact is on track and bridges, it would
progressively
attract huge additional investments.
Indigenously possible to develop. Investment
needed for long loops, dedicated freight lines
Heavy Haul with RDP ( Radio Controlled
3 and other logistics. Already limited versions
Distributed Power)
of indigenous designs are in commercial
operation.

146 RAILWAYS