A worldwide study that looked at fully automated, driverless metros now operated or under construction in 11 cities has concluded that these systems are "less expensive in investment and maintenance costs than those with a driver and also offer a much more attractive service quality."
The conclusion comes from an eight-year survey of automated systems in Europe, North America, and Asia conducted by the International Union of Public Transport, headquartered in Brussels.
The study, released earlier this year, compiled statistics on 11 systems, including eight with operating experience dating back to 1981: four light metros in France, two automated people movers in Japan, the London Docklands Light Railway, and Vancouver's SkyTrain. Three systems scheduled to start service next year are described in the report-without actual operating experience: the Paris Meteor, Berlin's U5 metro line, and the PUTRA light rail line of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
UITP's working group on the total automation of metro systems concludes that total automation allows the operator to provide exceptional service quality while reducing operating costs. Specifically, automated systems result in lower waiting time for passengers and a higher level of cleanliness, information, and safety in both trains and stations.
In addition, full automation allows for very precise and rapid service adjustments. In automated systems with platform doors, service availability is rated as "excellent" at 99.7 percent, far superior to conventional metros.
The report also notes savings in capital costs. Required capacities during rush hours can be attained with more frequent, but shorter, trains that reduce the size and cost of stations.
In advocating consideration of automated systems by policy makers, the working group revisits the four traditional arguments against driverless systems: they reduce jobs, confine passengers in a threatening environment where they are left on their own in case of hazardous incidents, create fear and insecurity through the absence of drivers, and require a higher level of investment.
While driver jobs are lost, retrained drivers in more diverse roles result in a higher level of customer care and satisfaction. Control centers communicate directly with passengers and vice versa in rare cases of incidents, and staff assistance is generally on the scene in less than 10 minutes. Market research has confirmed that passengers give high marks to the automated systems and that initial apprehensions regularly disappear after the first few weeks of operation.
The group concludes, "In this day and age when urban areas need high quality public transport to offer a viable alternative to the car without putting further strains on public funding, metros without drivers offer a solution to meet both criteria."
The 47-page report titled "A Better Quality Service at the Lowest Cost: Driverless Metros" is available from the UITP in Brussels. Tran21 (P.O. Box 249, Boston MA 02122-0002) has a limited number available at $28 prepaid, including postage and handling .
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