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.