Page 158 - Technology Roadmap Transportation
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TECHNOLOGY VISION 2035




                             6.0

                              BLUE SKY RESEARCH









                                             Moving platforms       Hotline maintenance of traction overhead equipment
                                         at railway stations,       at 25 kV without the need for taking power block and
                                      wherein, there is no need     traffic blocks. Though hotline maintenance techniques
                                   to stop the trains for getting in   are available in normal high voltage transmission
                                and getting out. This is something   lines, this is unheard of in railways due to lower creep
                             similar to Aerial fuelling of aircrafts or   distances and railway track below. If hot line mainte-
                          a cab getting attached to a cable car.    nance technique is adopted, there is no need to switch
                                                                    off the power.
                                      1                                                  2









                             7.0
                             CONCLUSIONS





                               As can be seen, technology progress in the   acquired global technology in select critical areas.
                               railways sector has been rather stagnant, in the   This will speed up the implementation and
                               last decade. The pace of growth inputs has not   milestones can be maintained.
                               been able to keep up with the increase in freight
                               and passenger traffic. The running route km and   Key enabling technologies like high speed
                               track km, the maximum and average speeds   passenger operation, heavy haul operation,
                               of both passenger and freight trains, signalling   higher axle load, lighter wagons, crashworthy
                               and communication system, safety measures for   coaches, communication-based train operation,
                               operation, maximum axle loads, payload to tare    and driverless operation, among others, will
                               ratio, etc. have almost remained static.  pave the way for developing many associated
                                                                        technologies. This will boost the rail industry in
                               In order to catch up with global standards,   India, and at some point in time, India can  reach
                               a leap forward is needed over the next two   at par with developed countries.
                               decades. A totally new mechanism of technology
                               management and monitoring is required for   The success of the identified technologies and
                               implementing the identified technologies within   development milestones will become realistic if
                               the proposed time frame.                 adequate funds are made available in time and
                                                                        the work entrusted to appropriate agencies,
                               Unfortunately, the structure of the Indian   both government and industry and monitored
                               Railways is not conducive for fast technology   properly.
                               development. The positive aspect, nonetheless,
                               is the availability of all these technologies for
                               purchase at a price. In the years to come, only
                               an indigenous development approach is deemed
                               sustainable. For successful development, one
                               has to blend indigenous technology along with





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