Regional trains and LRVs may be a reality by 2014

The railroad market is in full expansion in Europe and in the world, and it is in progress in Brazil, where the regional trains and the Light Rail Vehicles (LRV) may become a reality in the next four years, according to the forecast of experts. The sector signals with a view to compete with planes and dominate the market of passengers, mainly in trips of up to three hours. This profile could be clearly observed in the largest world railroad transportation fair, InnoTrans 2010, which took place on September 21 to 24, in Berlin.

In Brazil, the scene is not different. With the in-progress preparations for the World Cup 2014 and the Olympic Games 2016, the Government authority has already announced that it will invest billions in its infrastructure in the coming years.

In view of this picture, foreign companies increase their activities in the largest country of Latin America, which finds in São Paulo its major market. As for Brazilian companies, in an increasing number, they introduce their products to the international scenery. The tendency was evident at InnoTrans. While two years ago only two Brazilian companies took part in the previous fair, the event of this year attracted more than 20 companies and associations that presented their products and innovative services.

Specialists of the French multinational Alstom bet that within four years, Brazil will have a regional train delivered. “The regional train is a reality in Brazil, and the utilization of lines already existing would be more feasible”, says Luiz Fernando Ferrari, commercial director of Alstom and representative of the European Union Railroad Industry (Unife). For him, part of the infrastructure is assembled.

“The rails already exist, that’s why there is good expectation that this project goes ahead”, says Ferrari, explaining that, out of 50 connections between municipal districts at least 12 are feasible for immediate implantation.

“Very often, the amount of trains necessary to each one of these connections between municipal districts renders the project implantation economically unfeasible. If the city only needs two trains, for example, it is very expensive. The solution would be the Federal Government to buy the compositions and distribute them”.

Regarding the connection Santos-São Paulo, Ferrari explains that the hindrance would be putting the regional train of passengers on the same railroad used for freight transportation nowadays.

“The regional train is fast and the freight train is naturally slower. That would be a hindrance”, comments the director. The solution, for him, would be building a marginal line, side-by-side with the one used for freight, only for passengers. Moreover, the specialist explains that the gauge would be another hindrance, because it does not follow the world measure standard.

The implantation of regional train, according to him, is perfectly viable when medium-sized cities are involved (over 200 thousand inhabitants), such as São Paulo-Santos, São Paulo-Campinas, and São Paulo-Sorocaba.

Alstom also believes in the LRVs. The system in Brasília already has contract signed, and São Paulo has not started the bid yet. Santos is also a target of expectation. “Regional train and LRV are realities for the next 4 years”, Ferrari reinforces.

According to the director, the period for implantation of the LRV would be one of the most exciting items, because the project starts and finishes in 4 years, driving away any possible interference by the government.

InnoTrans 2010 gathered in Berlim 2,242 exhibitors from 45 countries, which had the opportunity to show the technological news of the sector.

Evolution

By the end of the 80’s, the high speed vehicles (HSV), known as express trains, achieved success among passengers. The HSV reached the world record of speed, reaching 574.8 km/h in April 2007.

Regional

The regional trains and LRVs, which relieve the urban traffic, appear as a solution for critical problems such as the traffic jams. Besides the speed, these services are convenient for the comfort, for not polluting, and for facilitating the integration with other modal means.