Metrolite is a light urban transit system being planned in India for cities with lower ridership projection and as a feeder system for the existing metro systems. It will lesser passenger capacity at much less cost than the metro. It will have dedicated tracks, separated from the road.
Route and stations
The route alignment and stations will be at-grade, as far as possible to reduce construction cost and time. The system will have shelter island platforms and AFC gates, platform screen doors, X-ray machines and baggage scanners will not be present similar to a bus stop. Fencing will be provided on both sides of the track to segregate it from the road traffic. The at-grade stations will have 5.5 m width, and in case road width does not permit, one line will be provided on adjacent road parallel to the previous one. Entire roads might be closed for road traffic and converted to metrolite network. For the elevated section, there will be side platforms each having a width of 1.12 m. Although concourse level will be absent, both platforms will be connected via foot bridges. The stations will have a maximum height of 5.5 m above the road.
Ticketing
The stations will not have any AFC gates to reduce cost, but ticket validators might be installed in trains and stations with National Common Mobility Card and other ticketing systems. Ticket checking will be random and heavy penalties will be levied on the passengers without a valid ticket.
Rolling stock
The stainless steel or aluminium trains will be of 3-car unit, articulated with each other and with a peak hour peak direction traffic capacity of 2,000 to 15,000. The width of the trains is standardised at 2.65 m with a low floor height of 300-350 mm. Maximum operational speed will be 60 kmph. The trains will also have an obstruction detection system.
signalling along with Automatic Train Protection will be used. ATS and Interlocking will also be installed to prevent derailment due to overspeeding while moving down the gradient, decongest a section while peak hours and route diversions. Signalling equipment rooms will be present only at stations nearby crossovers. The rooms will be an underground container below the platform. For road traffic, an integrated road and rail signalling system will be provided giving priority to the metrolite system. The system will have CCTV cameras in platforms and train communication will be done through Terrestrial Trunked Radio.
