Page 15 - Technology Roadmap Transportation

though, there is tremendous increase on the passenger and freight needs since 1950, the
railway infrastructure is almost stagnant which has resulted in putting severe strain on
railways. The report stresses the need to concentrate on railways to bring in new technology
to alleviate the pains. Design simulation will be needed for bringing in speed in the design
process thus reducing development time. We need to get technology from abroad in the
areas of high speed trains reaching up to 350~400 km/h, tilting wagons suitable for such
high speed trains, lighter wagons to improve Payload/Tare weight ratios, improvements in
aerodynamics, NVH (Noise, Voice and Harshness) issues, comfort factors, safety and security
issues, electronically controlled braking systems, intelligent adhesion control systems, signalling
and traffic management, refrigerated wagons and a host of such technologies, essential for
progress of this segment. Predictive maintenance techniques will be vital to maintain a network
of such high speed trains without any loss of time due to breakdowns. Complete indigenous
development in all these areas will not be possible and wherever possible, we need to bring
in technology from abroad to cut down the development time. However, our internal efforts
also should continue to delve in these high end technology areas as any country cannot
depend fully on importing technologies for ever. In the concluding pages, the roadmap lists
out all the areas of development categorised in short term, medium term and long term.
There is also some discussion on Blue Sky Research areas including moving platforms, hotline
maintenance aspects, etc. Since a lot of time is lost due to stagnancy for the last 40~50 years,
a big leap is needed to catch up and be technologically competitive with the rest of the
world.

AIRWAYS

Indian aerospace industry has registered substantial growth over the last 30 years. Annual
passenger transport of 20 million annually has risen to 225 million in 2015. Natural fall outs
are traffic congestion, emissions, and noise. While India has a fleet of the latest commercial
aircrafts, there is a gap between the airborne and ground technologies and needs to be
enhanced. Aerospace R&D, manufacturing has been an exclusive domain of the PSUs like
HAL, NAL and defence laboratories. The private participation has, however, increased from
26% in 2001 to 49% in 2015 which is a good sign for the manufacturing industry in the
country. A detailed policy plan for this sector needs to be evolved since the investments
are very high, needing commercial viability as a major consideration for investments. The
roadmap brings out short term, medium term and long term efforts needed for the country.

WATERWAYS

Waterways has been one of the neglected areas for a long time in the country. In spite
of the fact that waterways is the most economical and environment friendly mode of
transport, there is no major development in the country for the last five decades. Importance
of shipping is best expressed by Mr. Metropolous, Secretary, IMO as “But for shipping, half
the world would have starved to death and the other half would have perished because
of freezing cold.” India has 7500 km of coastline and 14000 km of navigable rivers and
canals which need to be leveraged. The report covers various technological, commercial
and operational issues related to the shipping industry. India’s shipping tonnage of just 1%
of the world highlights the importance that needs to be given to this sector. We need to
concentrate in developing a merchant fleet with balanced representation in all segments, viz.,
crude oil, coal, container trade, etc. Cabotage regulation which promotes domestic cargo by
indigenous ships, flying under national flag, needs to be promoted. Indian shipbuilding needs

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