MONORAIL

ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS

INTRODUCTION

Monorail is safe, economic and eco-friendly public transport system. It can be only

solution of traffic problems in congested metro cities.

As per definition monorail is rapid transit light rail system, running on an elevated

concrete track. Monorail is running on rubber tyres and powered by electric current.

Monorails are of two types. One is straddle beam monorail and other is suspended monorail.

Straddle beam monorail is running on the track, while suspended monorail is running

beneath the track. it acquires very less space on the ground. It is provided to minimize the

traffic problems in congested areas, such as airports, commercial areas in metropolitan cities.

It was a myth that monorail is only suitable in zoos and amusement parks, but it is approved

as a best solution of transport problems with reference to other conventional rail system. The

monorail was first started in seetle, Washington as a public transport system, which is still in

the working condition.

TECHNICAL CONTENTS

a> ELEVATED CONSRETE TRACK

Monorail occupies very less space on the ground, which can be considered as a main

advantage for providing in the traffic congested areas. Monorail is running on the elevated

concrete track supported on the piers. Piers are erected on the medians or on the footpaths.

Construction of monorail is very convenient & time saving. Construction of monorail is

done in stage by stage process in the following order, first foundation, second piers and then

beams. If the normal process is time consuming then alternatively after lying the foundation

pre-stressed R.C.C( reinforced cement concrete) blocks can be used. High grade of cement

(more than M60 grade) is used. One single column & beam is used in case of one-way

movement. T-beams and two parallel beams are provided for two way movement. Piers are

provided at average 28meters distance.

Concrete beams are suspended to more than 6meters height from ground level. The beam

is 0.6 to0.8 meters in width and 1 to 1.2 meters in depth. The track is allowed to turn

minimum of 40meters radius & 6’ gradient. The design of guide beam varies with

mechanism. The electricity supply cable is fixed at side of each track.

b> RAIL SYSTEM

Monorail consist minimum two cars per train. All mechanism including motor,

generator, and brake system are fitted at front and end of the train. There is no provision of

separation between the cars. Car is 3meters wide & 4meters high. Minimum 125 passengers

can travel at once in case of monorail of two car and maximum 600 passengers can travel at

once in monorail of four car. The interior of rail is decorated with attractive furniture and

automatic doors. The coach is made up of aluminum walls and glass panel windows. Weight

of monorail is 22.5 ton per car.

c> RUBBER TYRES

Monorail is running on the pneumatic nylon rubber tires, which increase the grip on the

track. the tires are filled with nitrogen gas, to reduce the fire possibility. These tires will last

1, 50,000 km in the normal operation. They have maximum load bearing capacity of 5800kg

at the inflation. There are two load tires (vertical tires) and eight guide tires (horizontal tires)

provided per car. Vertical tires carry the load and horizontal tires maintain the balance of

train. Vertical tires are provided at front or end of the car. Load tire diameter is about 1.20

meters and guide tire diameter is .5 meters. Rubber tire reduce the noise pollution, minimize

the possibility of derailment and maintenance is very less as compare to metal tracks.

d> POWER PROPULSION AND BRAKE SYSTEM

Monorail is powered by electric current, which is supplied through a guided cable by the

side of the beam. It consists of 100HP & 600 volts D.C. electric motors. In modern Japanese

monorails power is inverted into alternative current for AC traction motors, which is more

controllable than DC motors. The maximum design speed is about 90 km/hr. the maximum

acceleration rate is 2.5 m/hour/second.

Breaking is regenerative with air-operated backup system. The system also consist the

disc-brakes and emergency mechanical brakes. Normal rate deceleration is 3.3 m/hr/s and

in emergency it is 5.7 m/hr/s.

d>STATION

Monorail is generally proffered to construct in the overcrowded or traffic congested

zones, so design of the station should be convenient and less land covered. There are number

of stands has to be built up in intermediate areas at nearer distances. Main junctions of

monorail where monorails are parked, serviced and repaired acquire large space & they are

built up at ends of track. Stands can be erected using the steel frames and concrete blocks, the

height should be up to height of monorail. Elevators, stairs or escalators can be provided for

vertical movement of passengers. Normally in case of one way movement stand can be easily

built up by steel and glass panels by erecting columns on the footpath or with building

support. In the case of two way movements concrete structures having columns on both the

sides of road and median is constructed.

e> COST CONSIDERATION

Cost of monorail can not be accurately measured, because it depends on number of

factors such as topography, power transmission, no. of stations, river-crossings, track length,

covered land area and shifting of underground utilities. The cost of monorail projects varies

from $10 million/mile to $40 million/mile. The initial cost of project is high but now

government execute project based on BOT or BOOT system and financial viability can be

developed. The project can be developed in two to three years and the capital cost can be

covered within 5 to 7 years.

ADVANTAGES

Fast transportation

Monorail is a unique transport system. It is running along track without interruption on

track at speed of 60 km/hr. there is no signalization on track. Continuous rail trips do not wait

passengers for more then 5 minutes on station and each rail takes 30 to 40 seconds on

stations.

No land acquisition

No land acquisition required for rail track on the road and footpaths. Intermediate

stations can be constructed by erecting columns on the median and road sides. Terminal

stations only covers more space which is multifunctional place including platform, garage,

stalls and rail parking spaces.

No demolition of existing structures

There is no need to demolish the structures like building & roads except shifting of

certain utility lines.

No traffic interruption

Monorails passed on the elevated track and columns are provided at medians or

sidewalks, so there is no possibility of traffic interruption. . It guide over the traffic instead of

stop vehicle to pass at crossing.

Environment friendly

Monorail is running on electric power, which minimizes the air pollution. It is running

on the rubber tires minimize the noise pollution.

Safe

monorail provides maximum safety than any other. It is running on elevated concrete

track there is no possibility of accident with surface vehicle.

No derailment

Load tires and guide tires are wrapping the track, so there is no chance of derailment

except the track itself fails due to catastrophic failure..

Easy movement

Monorail is running on the rubber tires, which provides more stability. It can climb 6’

gradient and turn at 40m radius curve. Maximum speed is 90km/hr.

Less vibration

rubber tire produce very less vibration on concrete track as compare to steel track and

steel wheels. It requires less maintenance and it increase the grip on the track.

Comfortable journey

The inner part is decorated with the attractive design, air conditioned coach and

automatic door. It provides aesthetic view from window with more provision of windows.

Capacity

Capacity of monorail is person/hour/direction. It can daily convey over 100000 persons

per day.

Intermediate station

Right of the way for monorail systems the guide way structures & station buildings can

be constructed above narrow streets. Monorail stations may be incorporated into buildings

and can conform to local architectural style.

DISADVANTAGES

High initial cost

initial building cost of monorail is high.

No emergency exit

in case of fire, power off or beam failure there is no emergency exit is access to

passengers.

Falling of parts

Sometimes, without proper care of mechanism loose parts and leaking of oil may harm

the road users.

IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA

In Indian metropolitan cities today traffic problems are at worst in commercial areas. The

monorail project is planned to build in Mumbai will be in operation till year 2011. It will

solve the traffic, parking and environmental problems. It will make transport easier, faster

and economic. India will be considered as developed country in the world. Monorail project

is going to be executed in Mumbai, in which two routs of 25kms length and two routs of

10kms length.

CONCLUSION

It is a transport system which can fulfill all the ideal requirements including environment

friendly, economic, safe and less land covering, with little problems. It can minimize the

parking, traffic and environment problems up to greater extent. Government should develop

this system in all congested metropolitan cities for optimizing transport system and lead India

to develop for vision 2020.