Development of Effective Ventilation System for Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) Train For Mumbai Railway System
1. Introduction-
1.1 Mumbai Suburban Railway Systems – Overview:
Mumbai...
more... is a linear city spread over a distance of 120 Kms. During early part of 20th Century Britishers realized that to exploit full commercial potential of Mumbai, it would be necessary to provide an electric based Rail transport system in Mumbai for the people to travel. The electric suburban trains were introduced in Mumbai in the year 1925 with 1500V Direct Current traction system. At that time, this was the only modern traction system available any where in the world.
Over the period, the commercial activities in the city of Mumbai continued to increase mainly due to influx of population from neighbouring states to Mumbai which led to over crowding, abnormal increase in population and growth of suburban traffic thus leading to overcrowding in the trains. Suburban transport system operated by two railways Central and Western became the main mode of transport.
The increase in suburban trains in Mumbai did not keep pace with the passenger demand and therefore loading in the existing suburban trains increased. Traveling conditions in trains became unbearable.
Design capacity of 1500V DC EMU rake is 900 passengers per coach in sitting and 900 passengers in standing position.The city of Mumbai has witnessed unprecedented population growth and now the population in the city has crossed 15 million.The up gradation of the transport system has not kept pace with the increase in population. Against the capacity of 1800 passengers, during peak period in a 9 car rake, as many as 4500 passengers travel.