Since the first wheels of a train ran on rails in the year 1863, trains have served mankind in a number of ways. They have changed, improved and evolved. But even after so many years we have not been able to fully exploit this mode of transit. With advancement in technology, more and more people are moving towards urban areas so it becomes imperative that trains are developed in such a manner that they become the only mode of transit with unimaginable amenities, technology and precision. For that we should follow a five pointer plan.
Get more trains
It is expected that by 2030 60 percent of the world population will start living in urban centres. This implies that the load on public transit systems is going to increase substantially. The easiest solution can be: increasing the number of trains, whether it is a Subway, a tube or a metro, trains will have to make an entry into the places where there are none till now. Not only that, these trains will have to adapt to the changing needs of the people travelling in them and also to the changing scenario of public transit systems. Many countries have realised the need for this and have started on this track. For example in the US, metro systems are being built in cities that aren’t known as public transportation hubs. And it’s a long list:Phoenix,Houston,Denver,Salt Lake City,Los Angeles, andMiami, have either started construction on or shown interest in building a public train system of some kind, like a light rail or subway, or expanding what they already have. With more and more young people choosing to dwell in urban areas for their careers and living, the coming years are going to be no less than a “passenger rail boom”.
Smartcards: Keep it smart!
Almost all metro or train systems provide an option of regular commuting by issuing a plastic card or pass that is digitally loaded with money and keeps subtracting from your main balance based on the number of trips you have taken. Considering trains in any form are going to be the thing of the future, these smart cards should be made a part of the train transit system so that universally similar norms can be followed providing similar benefits. These smart cards in place of just being a fare pass can be made something more. They can be customized so that they can be used in parking meters, vending machines or even hospitals, if the need be.
Self-driven trains
As scary as it may sound, self-driving trains are one of the most revolutionary idea for future of trains. They are even part of some of the train transit systems of the world. For ex. Vancouver and Copenhagen have their train transit systems based on self-driving trains. According to a2013 reportfrom the Observatory of Automated Metros, there were 48 lines in 32 cities around the world that incorporated some kind of autonomous capability across over 400 miles of track. Some of these places include New York (the L Canarsie line) and London (the Victoria, Northern, Central, and Jubilee lines), all of which are individual lines automated to various degrees. Self driving trains have an advantage that they would bring own the staff costs by 70% and boost he passenger capacity by 6%. They can have more consistent spacing owing to this new method. So a new train can always be on track in a gap of say, 90 or 120 seconds, if you have missed the first one.
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