Redaccion
Isabel Díaz Ayuso has seen in the Plaza de Colón in the capital the life-size model of these driverless trains, as well as the immersive experience through virtual reality glasses that simulate a journey starting at Cuatro Caminos station and allowing access to the interior.
The president has highlighted that, in the prototype, 15 meters long and 3 meters wide, a panoramic glass can be observed instead of the «traditional closed cockpit» for driving, one of the great novelties that increases its space by 17% and can accommodate 1,385 people.
With this display, Metro de Madrid aims to bring users closer to the design of the 40 wide-gauge convoys that will be incorporated into the subway, with an investment of 450 million euros from the regional government. The free exhibition will be open to the public until April 30, from Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00, and on weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 20:00.
With these new models, which are being manufactured by the company CAF in its plants in Zaragoza and Beasain, the regional government will promote the automation of the most demanded line by subway passengers, with an average of more than 400,000 passengers per day. The renovation of the infrastructure will also allow offering a frequency of up to two minutes and expanding its transport capacity.
Energy efficiency, increased speed, and accessibility
In addition, they will be 20% more efficient in energy consumption despite increasing their maximum speed by 33%, reaching 110 km/h, and they will also improve accessibility. In this sense, among their innovations, the inductive loop stands out, a system that favors the perception of the public address system for users with hearing aids, and the colors, which remain corporate, but with a white background and blue doors to make them more visible.
With more than 23 kilometers and 28 stations, the Circular will begin its comprehensive remodeling starting in June to introduce automation and the necessary investments for the renewal of the track platform, the installation of platform screen doors, or a current signaling method.
