This story is from September 24, 2016

Year later, WR to test automatic doors in three coaches of local

A year after its experiment failed owing to technical glitches, the Western Railway has decided to roll out a rake with automatic doors.
Year later, WR to test automatic doors in three coaches of local
Representative image
MUMBAI: A year after its experiment failed owing to technical glitches, the Western Railway has decided to roll out a rake with automatic doors.
The automatic door closing system is being experimented to prevent commuters travelling on the footboard from falling off running trains or hitting poles. The first field trial of automatic door closing system in retrofitted coach was carried out on WR in March 2015.
A senior WR official said, “The automatic doors were installed in the women’s first class compartment, but effectively only two doors were tested.
This time, we plan to roll out in three coaches, which have totally 22 doors.”
The earlier rake was withdrawn within a couple of months of introduction over reliability issues. The door could get stuck or needed physical intervention to open.
The official said, “The work will be awarded to a contractor soon and this rake may hit the track in six months.”
Retrofitting three coaches will cost WR Rs 90 lakh. It is likely to undertake this experiment in MUTP II rakes built with electrical system by Bombardier.
The ventilation system will be rigorously tested as the number of passengers will higher compared to previous time when it was tested only in the first class, that too the smallest section reserved for ladies.

The control of the closing system will be given to the guard or the motorman. WR plans to keep the door open for 30 seconds to allow passengers to board and alight.
The static trials of the first rake with automatic doors were carried out in August 2014. Unlike in metro coaches, the doors of the suburban rakes are slightly curved, thus making the automatic door closing system challenging.
Under the system, the brake system of the train will be connected to the opening and closing of doors. The automatic doors will have sensor. As soon as the door closes, the current will pass through the cable to release the brakes. Unless this brakes are released, the train will not be able to move.
If the trials are successful, the railways may consider installing this system in all the rakes gradually.
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