China: Following successful factory tests, CRRC’s Qingdao plant has released the six-car CETROVO 1.0 Carbon Star Express for use on Line 1 of the city metro.
The train employs unmanned technology GoA4 and will operate with a maximum speed of 140 km/h.
The CETROVO 1.0 Carbon Star Express on Line 1. Source: CRRC
Liu Jinzhu, a senior designer at CRRC Qingdao Sifang, outlines that CETROVO’s car body, bogie frame, and other supporting structures are constructed from carbon fibre, while brake discs are made from carbon ceramic composite. The use of innovative materials has enabled a reduction in train weight by 11% and energy consumption by 7%. Liu Jinzhu asserts that carbon fibre is five times stronger than aluminum alloys.
Inside the six-car CETROVO 1.0 Carbon Star Express from CRRC. Source: CRRC
The train incorporates a digital twin technology via an operation platform SmartCare, which was developed specifically for CRRC’s trains. Over the course of the train’s life cycle, the system is expected to reduce maintenance costs by 22%.
