Han Ximin

1824295095@qq.com

PHASE I of Metro Line 20 will be put into operation within a week after the project was transferred from the constructor to the operator at a ceremony Wednesday.

The 8.36-kilometer experimental section, designed at a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour, is Shenzhen’s first automated Metro line. It connects Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center in Bao’an District and has five stations including three interchange stations.

“The tests for the facilities have been completed and the operator is at the final push for the joint testing of communications, signals, electrical equipment and AFC (Automatic Fare Collection) systems for the operation,” Shenzhen Metro Group said in a release Tuesday.

Line 20, dubbed as a demonstration line of technologies, has adopted the communication-based train control (CBTC) signaling technology, which helps improve railway transportation efficiency and safety. CBTC ensures safe rail operation using data communication between various control points making up the system. It uses an off-board computer to monitor all trains operating on tracks by sending information to computers aboard the trains, which allows trains to be spaced closer together compared to a manually controlled line.

At each station’s service center, ticket vending machines are available for fee charging and information inquiry, such as navigation and transfer guidance, through facial recognition and vocal interaction. Facial recognition technology is also used at turnstiles. Passengers need to register to authorize using facial recognition at ticket dispensers before using the service.

According to the draft plan of Shenzhen planning and natural resources bureau, which was released recently, Line 20 runs 50.6 kilometers passing Shenzhen Oceanic New Town, World Exhibition and Convention Center, Airport Transport Hub, Shenzhen High-Tech Industrial Park, Xiangmi Lake and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Cooperation Zone. When the line is put into use, it will enable passengers from northern Bao’an to reach Futian CBD within 45 minutes and to the border area with Hong Kong within 60 minutes.

Driverless technologies will also be applied on lines 12, 13 and 14 when they are put into operation in 2022 and on Line 16, when it is put into operation in July 2023, according to Shenzhen Metro Group.