Driverless Metro passenger train passes first test
AUSTRALIA’S first ever driverless metro passenger train has crossed a landmark bridge in Sydney’s north west with Transport Minister Andrew Constance comparing the moment to the “first car being on the Harbour Bridge.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AUSTRALIA’S first ever driverless metro passenger train has passed its first test, crossing a landmark bridge in Sydney’s north west with flying colours.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance likened the historic test of the Sydney Metro to the first car crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, saying it was a “major milestone”.
The fully automated train crossed over the Skytrain Bridge at Windsor Road at Rouse Hill, at a speed of 60km an hour on Monday, towards the new Kellyville Station. The bridge, similar in design to Sydney’s Anzac Bridge, is the first cable-stayed railway bridge built on a curve in Australia.
MORE NEWS:
Stabbed man ‘shot at Rebels bikie intruder’
Why disgraced MP will pocket $110k before he quits
Police investigate Finks road rage incident
When the train opens to the public in the first half of next year the route will continue into the city and the Metro trains will reach speeds of up to 100km/h.
“That impressive new bridge over Windsor Road now has our driverless Metro train doing test runs across it, meaning Metro is really becoming a reality,” Mr Constance said.
“This is a historic moment that will help change the way we get around our great city for generations to come.
“This is akin to the first car being on the Harbour Bridge.”
The transport minister said 46,000 people an hour can be carried on the driverless trains, compared to 24,000 on the existing heavy rail network.
Mr Constance said the service will be “turn up and go”, with trains every two minutes and no timetable.
“Testing will be done now pretty much until the day it opens,” Mr Constance said.
“We have to have absolute safety — the safety regulator has been involved right through the project.”
So far the tests of the Metro train have been held at the Sydney Metro HQ at Rouse Hill.
It is expected further tests will be run into the new twin 15km railway tunnels between Bella Vista and Epping.
Just over 44 kilometres of overhead wiring has been installed on the Sydney Metro Northwest project, out of a total of about 78 kilometres and nine out of 22 trains have been delivered.