Automating Brazil's busiest metro lines

Sao Paulo state government plans to modernise and increase the capacity of the metro network by 2010. There will be a significant increase in capacity on the three broad gauge lines serving the city centre; new and refurbished trains will be provided; a line will be extended; re-signalling work will be undertaken; and ultimately full automation will be achieved. The author describes the current layout of the three routes, summarising the technical details of the track infrastructure and trains. With regard to signalling other metros world wide have inspired the contractors with ideas which have been copied or adapted and developed. The expansion includes heavy use of new technology to maximise efficiency and increase capacity. Because of the existing high levels of traffic, the current level of service needs to be maintained throughout the whole project. Consequently extensive plans have been drawn up to facilitate the well-timed phasing of each stage.