China: New EMUs manufactured by CRRC is launched on the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed line. The manufacturer claims that it has a high degree of automation and is capable of speeds of 350 km/h. The train was created to provide transportation during the days of the Olympic Games, which will be held in February this year in Beijing.
Three eight-car Fuxing Intelligent electric trains were produced by a Chinese manufacturer in Changchun. The rolling stock was developed on the basis of the CR400BF-C Fuxing EMUs currently running on the Beijing-Shanghai line, while a number of changes have been made to the train design. So, a special door for the exit of the drivers appeared in the head car, the weight of the train was reduced by about 20 tons, and the head car received a more streamlined shape, which, by reducing resistance to the oncoming air flow, should reduce energy consumption by 10% compared to the previous generation and save 1.8 mln kWh of electricity per year. Separately, it is noted that more than 50% of the train materials are recyclable.
The new EMUs are equipped with an auto-guidance system that assumes automatic train control (but under the control of the driver), including automatic starting, stopping at a set place, opening and closing doors. The uninterrupted operation of the system along the entire Beijing-Zhangjiakou line with difficult terrain and many tunnels will be provided by 400 5G base stations. Also, a deployed 5G network is needed to provide Internet access for the TV studio and the press center on board. In addition, the train is equipped with more than 2.7 thousand sensors for online monitoring of the state of trains and batteries which allow Fuxing Intelligent EMU to do 15-20 km autonomous trip in case of emergencies.
Fuxing Intelligent EMUs can accommodate up to 564 passengers. Several cars will have special lockers for storing skis and other sports equipment.
