Lewis BarbaraIts first section, 12.9 km long with nine stations, was opened on November 21, 1983.
The city of Baltimore and its suburbs have 1.8 million inhabitants. The city is unique in that it is located on a bay on a peninsula far out to sea and is the largest port in the United States and an important industrial and cultural center.
The first-line route runs northwest from the city center and covers the areas with the most residential development. From the terminal station Charles Center line length of 7.2 km with six stations goes underground to the station Mondolin, then 4 km by overpass and another 1.7 km on the ground.
A new 9.6 km northbound line with three stations is nearing completion. The sections of this line, which are scheduled for commissioning in 1988, will be entirely aboveground. In addition, there are plans to build a 2.4 km long underground section that will connect the center with the largest medical and sports complex.
The tunnel was excavated using the panel method, except for those sections in the rock which required more complex blasting work. Six underground stations were built using the enclosed method, as each of them is located on at least two levels. The two stations where interchanges are planned are located on three levels. The deepest station, Peine Port, is located at a depth of 36.5 meters. Nine stations have platforms 137 m long. The stations are spacious, have their own, inherent only to them, individual architectural interpretation, decorated with mosaics and murals.
In the tunnels the track was laid on the concrete slabs with rubber pads to reduce the noise and achieve greater smoothness. On the above-ground sections the rails were laid on twin concrete sleepers, which, in turn, were concreted into concrete track blocks. The minimum radius of curves is 225 m, the maximum gradient is 30%.
Current carrying is carried out from the third rail, which for better conductivity is covered with aluminum paint. The voltage in the contact rail is 700 V DC. The power supply is controlled from a single dispatching center.
The trains are driven automatically, but the driver has the functions of information about the train’s progress, opening and closing the doors, sending the train out of the station and some other functions.
Automatic train operation system, operating on microprocessors, leads the train along the sections, regulates speed and ensures stopping at the station in the set place.
Traffic control is provided from a single center, which has a permanent radio link to train drivers, telephone link to all subway stations, and television link to the stations.
The trains are formed of six cars on the principle of two-car sections. Car length – 22,9 m, width – 3,1 m, capacity – 170 places, including 77 seats. The wagon body is frameless, made of corrugated stainless steel. On each side of the car there are 3 sliding doors with the width of opening 1,27 m. The front and side windows are made of painted shatterproof glass. The cars are equipped with air conditioners and forced ventilation system. The motor cars have 4 traction motors of 130 kW each with thyristor control and a possibility to regenerate. The maximum speed is 110 km/h.
The subway operates from 5 am to 8 pm. Interval between trains is 8-10 min. Subway speed is about 50 km/h. Payment for the fare, as in the bus, is zone, 75 cents before the change and 15 cents for the change. Stations are equipped with ticket change machines, turnstiles for automatic passage with magnetic reading. They have escalators and elevators (for the disabled).