Han Ximin

ximhan@126.com

FOUR Metro lines — 12, 13, 14 and 16 — which are under construction, are going to adopt driverless technologies, according to the Shenzhen Metro company yesterday.

In cooperation with Shanghai-based CASCO Signal Ltd., a leader in automotive electromechanical and electronic devices, in the planning of Metro Phase IV construction, Shenzhen will adopt an automated driving mode on the four lines, ushering the Metro network into a smart era.

Phase IV includes the spur line of Line 6, and lines 12, 13, 14 and 16, which are expected to be put into operation by the end of 2022. By then, the total Metro rail network in Shenzhen will extend to 568 kilometers in total.

On the way to becoming smarter in transportation, the signal system, believed to be the network’s central nervous system, needs to become more intelligent, stable and reliable, according to the company.

During a visit to the automated driving control system engineering and technology research center in Shanghai last week, reporters from Shenzhen were shown CASCO’s entire smart process.

In a list released yesterday by China Urban Rail Transport Association, Shenzhen ranks fourth among 33 cities regarding its Metro rail length in service, following Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

By Thursday, the total length of Shenzhen Metro lines in service was 285 kilometers. Shanghai ranks first with 669 kilometers, followed by Beijing with 617 kilometers and Guangzhou with 473 kilometers.

Shenzhen plans to have 33 Metro lines in operation with a total length of 1,335 km in 2035.