PRESS RELEASE: What happens when a metro system “ascends to the cloud” and is equipped with a “smart brain” that acts as “Thousand-Mile Eye” and “Keen Hearing”? In Qingdao, Shandong, Metro Line 6 has become the city first “cloud-based” line and also the first fully autonomous metro line in China. Powered by digital upgrade, the metro is now equipped with a “smart brain” – the Fully Autonomous Train Operation System (TACS). This system allows the train to independently assess the movement of trains in front and behind, and automatically adjust its speed for acceleration or deceleration, which marks a shift from automatic train operation to fully autonomous train operation, making the metro smarter than ever.
As the wave of digitalization surges, upgrading urban rail transit through smart technology has become a key factor in enhancing a city’s competitiveness. Qingdao Metro has expanded rapidly with 8 lines covering 348 kilometers, and in 2023, the annual passenger volume reached 470 million. This rapid development is driven by the collaborative innovation between Qingdao Metro Group and companies like ZTE, which work together to promote the digital transformation of the urban rail industry. The first phase of Qingdao Metro Line 6 focuses on three core areas: smart construction, smart operations, and smart maintenance. By utilizing cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, and 5G technology, a smart urban rail system has been created.
In 2022, Qingdao Metro Group partnered with ZTE to build a more compatible and open cloud platform for the urban rail industry on Metro Line 6, achieving comprehensive decoupling of products on the platform. At the same time, a big data platform was developed at Qingdao Metro’s Big Data Center to support data governance and the entire business process. This platform provides a solid digital foundation for the metro’s digital transformation.
- Network Command Center (MMCC): The Network Command Center consolidates data from the entire Qingdao Metro network. Supported by powerful data servers, this center uses real-time data to drive various business processes, enabling centralized management of metro operations and dispatching. It serves as the “Chief Commander” of Qingdao Metro.
- Line Control Center: In the event of an emergency, passengers can press the emergency intercom button inside the train car to communicate in real time with the dispatch center. Simultaneously, real-time video from the train car will be transmitted to the dispatch center’s large screen, enabling precise assistance in handling emergencies. Additionally, the train’s operational status is monitored remotely and in real time, ensuring passenger safety through a robust health monitoring system.
- Smart Station: Smart stations offer various intelligent functions, such as voice-activated ticket purchasing, intelligent inquiries, centralized security screening, smart guidance, passenger flow control, and equipment monitoring, all designed to enhance passenger convenience. The smart station system can accurately detect potential safety hazards and automatically notify control room staff to manage situations like clearing blockages at metro entrances or assisting elderly passengers or those with limited mobility, ensuring a smooth travel experience for all.
From smart train operations to smart depots and stations, Qingdao Metro is committed to providing passengers with safer and more convenient services at every step of their journey. At the same time, Qingdao Metro Group is actively pursuing a green, low-carbon, and sustainable development strategy. They have launched a green urban rail implementation plan, focusing on green construction, energy-saving technologies, and clean energy to create an environmentally friendly urban rail system.
Looking ahead, ZTE will continue to support Qingdao Metro in building a “world-class” subway system, providing a solid digital infrastructure for the urban rail industry and contributing to its high-quality development not only itself but also the whole urban rail industry.