TrafficInfraTech Magazine Linking People Places & Progress
INTERMODAL CONNECTIVITY
In addition, DMRC is working closely with Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure Planning & Engineering Centre (UTTIPEC), a planning unit of Delhi Development Authority and other stake holders such as Delhi PWD, Traffic police. The aim is to provide a safe, economical, and comfortable intermodal connectivity within the immediate (50-300m) zone radius around phase-III metro stations and create a seamless transitions / interchanges between different modes of transport to complete travel trip. The space near all entry / exit points of the station are being planned to be pedestrian friendly, safe and comfortable. Round the clock street-level activities and vibrant urban space that integrate vendors will promote a friendly environment and informal surveillance on streets and public spaces.
Provisions are being kept for secured motor cycle and bicycle parking facilities, for pick up and drop off zones, bus stops etc . While planning, attention is being given on dispersion of high traffic volumes over a network of streets rather than concentrating traffic on a few major streets and junctions. This will enable the shortest direct route to pedestrians and non-motorized modes to stations as well as between individual buildings/ complexes. Attention is also being given on integration of infrastructure development and travel demand management (TDM) strategies such as bus lanes, station plazas, intersections improvements, foot over bridge/ under pass provision to avoid road crossing, prioritizing pedestrians, encouraging walking and cycling / NMT use especially for short distances.
The station building, entry-exit structures and the spaces around it within 300M radius influence zone are being planned to provide universal access to accommodate all, including wheel chair bound, visually impaired and hearing impaired commuters. The other features include – Ramp entry up to plinth level, uniformity in floor level, low height tactile path from all entrances / exit points to station to platform along with warning strip on platform edge. Also planned are — travel related announcement inside the train and station, audio signage during train arrival and departure, directional information and signage, dynamic display inside the train, staff assistance for differently-abled and needy and designated reserve parking close to entry exits of the station.
Comprehensive programmes on green education for staff; environmental awareness campaigns in association with NGOs/walking clubs/bicycle clubs; green feature announcements in stations /trains; workshops, and training programmes on green environment are some of the green initiatives. Attention is being given to preserving at least 50% of existing trees during construction and planting at least 10 new saplings for every uprooted tree following the Ministry of Environment and Forest guidelines. For providing vegetation (with native/ naturalized species), it has been planned to use at least 50% of median area below viaduct for plantation.
Various methods are being followed to assess Economic Internal Rate of return in terms of time savings, fuel savings, pollution reduction, accident reduction and decongestion.
The Second Module on which DMRC is working seriously is on Water Efficiency, water monitoring and water management. The methods which are being adopted for water efficiency are reduction of use of portable water, use of ultra-efficient water fixtures to minimize the use of portable water, enhancement of ground water table, provision of rain water harvesting structure at stations, viaducts and casting yards to enhance ground water table. Continuous monitoring of water usage is being done by installing sub-meters for various use such as water consumption for affluent flushing and HVAC cooling water. Water Management plan has the provision for recharge pit for efficient use of water at construction sites and use of RO reject water for wheel washing, toilets for dust suppression during construction.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
The Third module is on Energy Efficiency. In 2011 the Delhi Metro project became the first railway project in the world to be certified by the United Nations for carbon credits for reducing greenhouse gas emission. DMRC saved 112,500MW of power by using regenerative brakes in trains and reduced carbon emissions by 630,000t yearly. In order to make the metro system energy efficient in phase III, judicial selection process of various E&M equipment & systems to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact is followed. The concerned areas are heating, ventilation & air-conditioning, elevators & escalators, pumps & motors, onsite renewable energy systems, building management system, power back-up systems and non-conventional energy.
Energy saving can be achieved providing energy efficient HVAC system; lighting system (controlling lighting level during peak and off peak hours); lifts and escalators (with variable voltage variable frequency control drives, which matches the power requirements with the actual load with the idling speed of 0.2 m/sec against the normal operating speed of 0.5 m/sec or 0.65 m/Sec.) and limit switch with door opening to control lights of technical rooms. There are other applications which are also under consideration such as, replacement of incandescent lamp with energy efficient LED lamps in Rolling Stock as well as in stations, use of timer to control lighting duration at concourse, platform & roads etc. LED fixtures for signage, replacement of split AC by air-cooled chillers and FCUs at underground stations, selection of high COP air and water cooled chiller, use of eco-friendly refrigerants and halogen free system in the project and keeping the stand-by transformers as cold stand-by instead of hot stand-by resulting in no load losses, will be considered. Use of variable speed drive in secondary pump of AHU (Air Handling Unit), LPD (Lighting Power Density) and reduction up to 45-50% from ECBC baselines by using 100% LED lighting fixtures in underground stations will also be included.
The Fourth Module is Material Conservation. Selecting materials which are locally manufactured within a distance of 400km can minimize environmental impacts from transportation. Also being planned are proper segregation of waste and re-use or recycling of materials.
The Fifth Module is Indoor Environment and Comfort. The concern is on outdoor ventilation, so as to avoid pollutants effecting indoor air quality.
With all the measures mentioned above, DMRC is hopeful to create a sustainable infrastructure by reducing Green House Gas emissions as a mitigation measure for global warming. There is an expected reduction of operating cost (up to 20-30% in energy saving and up to 30-50% in water saving), and conservation of natural resources. Finally, attaining enhancement of comfort, health of the operation staff /passengers & users and increasing occupants‘ productivity are the prime focus areas.