Latin America’s First Fully Automated Metro Line Opens in Brazil

Brazilian rail operator ViaQuatro has opened the first fully automated metro line in São Paulo, Brazil, as part of line 4 of the São Paulo Metro.

Line 4 covers a distance of 12.8km and serves eleven stations with platform screen doors while the initial section, which opened in May, includes two stations.

The line extension is equipped with automation train control technology supplied by Siemens Mobility, which also features an automatic traffic supervision solution.

Three trains equipped with the new technology will operate as a shuttle service between the two stations controlled by the Sicas interlocking system.

The fully automated line enables trains to run at closer headways than conventional driver-operated systems and ensures optimum safety conditions.

The remaining section of line 4 is intended to be opened in the next phase of the project.

Siemens will also install a passenger information, video surveillance and train radio system, and an operations control centre equipped with a Scada system to monitor and control the line.

Hyundai-Rotem will supply 84 cars to make up the 14 metro trains for the line, which is expected to carry 900,000 passengers a day.