The launch ceremony for the autonomous high-speed subway project managed by the Chinese company CRRC took place in Ankara on June 7.
This is the first driverless subway project in Turkey and also marks China’s first overseas driverless subway project, featuring a maximum speed of 120 km/h, according to a report by Global Times on June 9.
A subway train produced by China for Turkey. (Photo: Xinhua)
In this new project, the Chinese company CRRC will collaborate with 13 Turkish companies to manufacture the first 60 train sets. The trains are expected to operate on the Istanbul Airport subway line and can carry a maximum of 1,100 passengers.
The trains will utilize the fully automated GoA4 operation system – the highest level of automation, eliminating the need for a driver’s cabin and capable of autonomously performing tasks such as starting, stopping, picking up passengers, and maintenance, which meets the demands of various driverless operational scenarios.
The trains are designed to achieve high performance, fast speeds, and provide comfort during operation. Additionally, the newly developed traction control system can effectively adapt to local climbing requirements.
The Istanbul Airport subway line is Turkey’s first high-speed subway line and serves as a crucial transportation link connecting the airport to the city center, averaging 800,000 passengers daily. The implementation of driverless high-speed subway technology will greatly benefit local commuting.
According to Li Yangyang, the general director of CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive, a subsidiary of CRRC, the company is committed to cooperating with Turkish firms based on mutual benefits during the procurement, manufacturing, operation, and maintenance processes. The project’s localization rate in train manufacturing is 60%, creating over 200 jobs and contributing to the development of the local railway sector.
