Wuhan's Metro Line 12 has achieved full operation, becoming the longest circular subway line in Asia at 59.9 kilometers, and the second-longest in the world. The line, featuring Grade 4 Operation GoA technology for autonomous operation, opened yesterday with its 37 underground stations connecting seven central districts and linking two major railway hubs, Hankou and Wuhan stations. It can transfer to 18 existing and planned lines, and completes the full route in approximately 1.5 hours. The line traverses the Yangtze and Han rivers, and after full operation, it will further alleviate the cross-river commuting issues caused by the natural barriers. GOA4 is the highest standard of autonomous driving in urban rail transit. According to the representatives from CRRC Changke, the train can awaken, perform self-inspections, and leave the garage automatically every morning. During operation, it can accurately perform automatic turnaround and precise docking. After the end of operations at night, it can also autonomously plan its route back to the garage and enter a sleep state. This entire process, from waking up to sleeping, requires no manual intervention, and can also be remotely controlled through a control center. Additionally, during peak hours, the Line 12 trains automatically adjust their departure intervals, and in the event of an emergency, they can autonomously plan a bypass route, significantly increasing the punctuality rate and emergency response speed of operation.
When fully operational, Metro Line 12 not only enhances the efficiency of urban transportation but also sets a new benchmark for autonomous operation technology in the subway system, moving closer to the goal of truly hands-free public transportation systems. This development comes as part of Wuhan's ongoing efforts to modernize and improve its urban infrastructure, addressing the growing demand for efficient public transport in a city with a rapidly growing population and expanding urban area.
The introduction of this highly advanced autonomous system on Metro Line 12 is seen as a significant step towards fully automated urban transit systems in China, reflecting a broader trend in the country's embrace of cutting-edge technology in infrastructure development. As other cities in China look to adopt similar technologies, Metro Line 12 serves as a prime example of what is possible with modern urban transportation systems.