Metro rail ready to run with many firsts

The maiden metro rail, ready to roll this week, is set to introduce many new features in the transport system for the first time, according to officials and experts.
The mass rapid transit (MRT)-06 is going to give a new taste in the traditional transportation system.
However, experts consider the entire process of corridor selection, planning, construction and operation of the MRT06 as a learning case for all concerned for taking forward upcoming metro projects.
As the first phase of the line opens on December 28, officials said, the electronic train would run on track without ballast and slippers, a first in the country.
Besides, the MRT06 introduces MASS Spring System at three points to lessen noise and vibration on track, which is rare in the mass transit system globally.
"MASS Spring System is not only rare in MRTs in the world, but also expensive. It is used at Mirpur DOHS, Farmgate and Shahbagh to lower noise and vibration in the locality," said a consultant.
He claimed the system lowers sound level dramatically for using a special technology under track.
Sources said electricity consumption would also be lower for using regenerative breaking-based hybrid technology, which is new to the operating system.
According to officials, automatic ticket-purchase system through vending machine, facility for physically challenged people in station areas and station platforms are in place for the first time.
Besides, Platform Screen Door, which is also new to MRT worldwide, has been used in MRT06 as part of prioritising safety of commuters, consultants said.
Although the conventional train could not utilise full capacity of 80km per hour, MRT06 will be able to operate trains at 100kmph speed at five points between first nine stations from Uttara to Agargaon.
However, the average speed of MRT06 will be 40kmph due to short distance between two stations.
Road transport and highway division secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri told the FE that MRT06 has some special technology for commuter safety, for example door will not be closed if a passenger is on the doorstep.
However, Prof Shamsul Hoque said although MRT06 has given a new shift in transportation with inclusive features for passengers, policy-makers and planners should focus more on better commuter facilities.
He cited examples of some new technologies for autonomous system development in mass transit services and said catenary system or driver-operating metro system is no more popular in the world.
"Many facilities couldn't be introduced in the first MRT for lack of professionalism, which couldn't be avoided or modified in other MRTs through dealing professionally," Dr Shamsul Hoque told the FE.
The MRT06 is introduced without road network, footpath and land integration, he added. MRT06 stations and trains are designed for physically challenged people by keeping doors and marks in lift, toilet and train.
Road transport and bridges ministry is setting up a metro rail network with total six MRTs as per recommendations of the strategic transport plan.
Of them, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Uttara-Agargaon phase of MRT06 next Wednesday.
The Agargaon-Motijheel track will be completed next year. The line's end point at Kamalapur station will take more time for a delay in starting construction.
The total length of MRT06 is 21.26 kilometre.
The development project proposal of the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project was approved in April 2012 with a target to complete the entire elevated track by June 2024.
The entire line, upon completion, will operate 24 sets of trains each having six coaches, which will have a capacity of carrying 60,000 passengers per hour.
On ridership calculation, the consultants estimated the use of the entire corridor by 500,000 commuters daily.
MRT06 stations are at Uttara North, Uttara Centre, Uttara South, Pallabi, Mirpur-11, Mirpur-10, Kazipara, Shewrapara, Agargaon, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Karwanbazar, Shahbagh, Dhaka University, Bangladesh Secretariat, Motijheel and Kamalapur.

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