PUNE (Metro Rail News): The metro rail system being developed at present is of high capacity which is required for bigger cities with very high ridership and peak hour peak direction traffic (PHPDT).
Seeing the success of metro rail in the country, several other cities with a lower projection of ridership are also aspiring for the rail-based mass rapid transit system, which could be fulfilled by light urban rail transit system named ‘Metrolite’ with lesser capacity at much less cost.
Metrolite would also act as a feeder system to the high capacity metro. In addition to less capital cost, the operation and maintenance cost of Metrolite would also be less, making the system more viable.
Zebra crossings shall be provided on either side of the platforms for passenger movement from the wide footpaths. Respective municipal corporations shall identify all possible paths for providing at least single-track operation of Metrolite trains between two parallel roads. Ring network shall be planned to reduce the headway.
Station area can be planned with more natural lighting and natural ventilation instead of heavy closed structures. AFC gates, platform screen doors, X-ray baggage scanner, and DFMD are not suggested in the Metrolite shelters. This will remove any signaling and PSD equipment rooms in the station platform making it unattended station. The system shall have a dedicated path separating the road traffic with Metrolite system.
Fencing can be provided on either side of the network. Shelter platforms shall be planned in a staggered manner in the alternate side for Up and Down lines to reduce the actual road space.
