Metro

What are metros?
Metropolitan railways are urban, electric transport systems with high capacity and a high frequency of service.

Metros are totally independent from other traffic, road or pedestrians. They are consequently designed in tunnel, viaducts or on surface level but with physical separation. Metropolitan railways are the optimal public transport mode for a high capacity line or network service.

Some systems run on rubber-tyres but are based on the same control-command principles as steel-wheel systems.

In different parts of the world metro systems are also known as the underground, subway or tube.

Developments and trends

The first underground line opened in London in 1890. Since then, some 116 conurbations in Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East and North Africa have joined the ranks of cities with their own metro system.

Despite the high investment costs required, the development potential of metro systems is still large since there will be some 560 cities with populations of over one million by 2015.

The major development of the last years is the development of driverless train operation. This allows not only for cheaper, but also safer and more reliable operation, and last but not least better customer service.

Already 30 driverless lines are in operation and it is expected that in future 75% of new lines will be designed as driverless. Existing lines will also be massively retrofitted to driverless operation on the occasion of periodic modernisation of rolling stock or signalling equipment.

This development is not only a technological challenge, but also requires a complete rethinking of service philosophy, company organisation and processes, as well as staff qualifications.

Press release 30-10-2007 Rome wins international metro photo competition

The 'year of the metro' - 50 years of UITP Metro Division to be celebrated in Valencia

Light rail and metro systems in Europe: Current market, perspectives and research implications

The Metro: an opportunity for sustainable development in large cities

Preventing and combating fires in metro systems

Safety and Security of passengers in Metro Networks

Strategy, policy and operational maintenance of electrical systems and equipment of metro networks

For more cost-effective management of metro operating staff

Commissioning of new rolling stock

Maintenance subcontracting in public transport networks

Wheelchair access in metro systems

What are the major issues at stake for metro systems today?

Delhi Metro - The changing face of urban public transport in India

SUB-COMMITTEE Operations Sub-Committee of the Metro Division 25-26 November 2010, Berlin, Germany

SEMINAR 2nd Automated Metro Seminar 1 December 2010, Barcelona, Spain

COMMITTEE METRO 1 December, Barcelona, Spain

ASSEMBLY METRO DIVISION 2-3 December, Barcelona, Spain

UITP Metropolitan Railways Division

Missions and issues    List of members  Working groups  Information for members

Introduction
The Metropolitan Railways Division is composed of all UITP full members planning, constructing and/or operating a metropolitan railway transport system.
The Metropolitan Railways Division consists of the following bodies:

• the Metropolitan Railways Assembly
• the Metropolitan Railways Committee
• the Sub-Committees

Five specialist Sub-Committees carry out the study’s work of the Division, they are:

• Operations
• Rolling Stock
• Fixed Installations
• Finance & Commerce
• Electrical Installations & Safety Systems

CONTACT: Laurent Dauby

Missions and Issues

Preambule
The Metropolitan Railways Division is the UITP members' forum for metropolitan railway operators, for professional discussions on all issues regarding the planning, financing, construction, operation and management of metropolitan railway systems. It is the advocate of improving urban mobility and seamlessness through the provision of metropolitan railway systems.

The Metropolitan Railways Division has an important networking role, that may result in activities such as conferences, study tours, scholarships, exchange programmes etc.

The Metropolitan Railways Division consists of the following bodies :

• the Metropolitan Railways Assembly
• the Metropolitan Railways Committee
• the Sub-Committees
  

I. The Metropolitan Railways Assembly
Mission of the Metropolitan Assembly (= MR Assembly)
1. The Metropolitan Railways Assembly is a forum for liaison, exchange of knowledge and professional discussions on all issues regarding the planning, financing, construction, operation and management of metropolitan railway systems.

2. The Metropolitan Railways Committee shall inform the Metropolitan Railways Assembly on on-going developments in the industry, on its current themes studied and on the position papers prepared by the Committee and submitted for discussion and approval to the Policy Board.

3. The Metropolitan Railways Assembly notes and discusses the on-going topics studied and the position papers of the Metropolitan Railways Committee.

4. The Metropolitan Railways Assembly nominates the members of the Metropolitan Railways Committee, in agreement with the UITP General Secretariat and the Committee Chairperson.

5. The Metropolitan Railways Assembly is a privileged place to promote UITP activities to potential Metropolitan Railways Division members.

Mission of the Metropolitan Railways Committee (= MR Committee)
The Metropolitan Railways Committee develops and guides the strategy and the objectives of the MR Division, in agreement with the UITP Policy Board. It is responsible for planning the activities of the MR Division. The Committee reports to the Assembly and takes into consideration the results of the discussion.

In this respect, under the direction of its Chairperson, the Committee assists the General Secretariat and the Assembly Chairperson with :

• the preparation of the Assembly, in agreement with the local host ;
• the supervision of the respect of the timetable of the studies and the organization of the presentation of the results to the Assembly.

Under the direction of its Chairperson, the Committee also :

• gives input to the agenda of the Assembly ;
• coordinates the working programme of the priority themes with the UITP Programme Committee and the Policy Board ;
• supervises the work that the Sub-Committees have taken on their own initiative and decides which of these studies should be presented to the Assembly in addition to the priority themes (see also « Rules of Operation of the Sub-Committees », Enclosed).

Together with the Committee, the General Secretariat of UITP prepares conferences, workshops, study trips etc.

List of members

See the list of members

Subcommittees and Working groups

Sub-committees

• Operations
• Rolling Stock
• Fixed Installations
• Finance & Commerce
• Electrical Installations & Safety Systems

Working Group
 
Metro Automation Working Group

Information for members

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