Gudok: Response to the on-board monitoring system for electric multiple units COMPACS-EXPRESS-3

The train which is able to count

Moscow railway, 21/01/2011. All passengers of a new suburban electric train will be taken into account

Moscow railway - branch of "Russian Railways" JSC – has acquired an electric multiple unit ED4M, which has a passenger counting system over the door of each car.

Electro-optical sensors by means of LEDs and infrared photodetectors form three-dimensional optical images of moving objects. 3D image allows to determine accurately how many people get in and out of the car, in spite of the crowd and counterflows.

Information on the number of passengers, traveling in the train, goes to the on-board computer mounted in the cab. "When the system is installed in all trains, we will be able to analyze the traffic flow in each direction of the Moscow railway" - says the head of the Moscow Railway Vladimir Moldaver.

In addition, ED4M is equipped with leaning-sliding doors with advanced control unit. "This increases airtightness, not piling up snow through niches in the doors, and saves energy" - explains Valery Osipov, the chief designer of "Demikhovskiy engineering plant" JSC.

Each passenger can open the door by pushing the button at the entrance or output of the train. In several seconds after opening the doors are closed. If anyone did not have time to get in, the doors are opened again and after 7-8 seconds are going to close. And for the third time the doors just come to a stop. "Then the door can be closed from the cab or by pushing the button" - explains Alexander Borisov, the doors designer from "Steklomash" JSC. According to his words, the system is rather simple, but passengers will have to get used to it. «It makes sense to announce through a speakerphone how to use the doors. However I have seen on the platform how people hardily come up and push the button» - says Alexander Borisov.

Cars are fitted with air conditioning, new windows with air vents, having a larger volume of opening than serial ED4Ms. It will be comfortable for a locomotive crew to work in the summer. Air conditioners are installed in the cab as well.

The modern diagnostic system COMPACS^® monitors the EMU condition. During the motion of the train diagnostic devices collect information on locomotive underframe, mechanical portion, traction apparatus and other equipment. Then the information goes to the depot. «The train condition is monitored with no participation of the locomotive crew. Critical assemblies have sensors, installed on them. For example, a machinist, not leaving the cab, can tell which wheelset has been stuck or which wheel spins if a coupling has happened. It is rather important for us» - says Roman Fairuzov, the machinist of the railcar depot Moskva-2.

Authors: Svetlana Kazantseva / 2011

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