If you think that moving block CBTC is as good as you can get for headway capacity then think again!
Trials are underway in China on Virtual Coupling Train Set (VCTS) on the Beijing metro line 11 with some success. The plan is to roll it out on the operational railway on new line 19 in Beijing which is currently under construction.
The VCTS train control has demonstrated train separation based on speed of the train ahead allowing trains to be separated at 100m at full speed (80Km/h) tapering down to roughly 6m when stationary. As well as maximising headway the concept is to enable trains to couple up at speed from branch lines to maximise capacity on the core section.
Watch the video below to see the functionality in action!
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Connacht Sheffield
Communications and Technology Secretary