Puyuma-Class Trains Inspected Following Accident|普悠瑪大盤檢但不停駛 重點ATP防護系統

To prevent the tragedy from repeating, all Puyuma-class trains must undergo inspections before Oct. 25. But before that, all Puyuma train services will continue to run as normal.


This is the train maintenance zone at Taiwan Railways Administration's Hualien Depot. A Puyuma-class train has just entered the depot to undergo a comprehensive inspection. Components including its navigation systems, protection systems, pantograph, and shaft temperature must all be examined, especially the air compressor, as an anomaly is reported to have led to the shutting off of the automatic train protection system in the Oct. 21 derailment.

If the air compressor malfunctions, it affects the traction power, the MR pressure and UR, which are the air that comes from the compressor. If the MR pressure is insufficient, it will limit the traction power to limit the power supply. (So what you're saying is that the speed will be reduced.) It's not that the speed will be reduced, it's that it directly won't supply power.

The ATP system is also very important. Technicians have simulated scenarios where the ATP system will emit warnings every five seconds if the train is traveling too fast or the driver falls asleep.

If the train is traveling too fast, and the brakes are not applied within five seconds, such as in a situation where the driver is asleep or something else has happened, it will continue beeping, and then finally it will cut off the power.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications ordered the TRA to inspect its other 18 Puyuma-class trains following the accident. It does not have plans at present to suspend train services given the high demand. However, it has already run into problems while making the necessary adjustments.

We have eight here at Hualien Depot. Some are currently in service, others are back-up. We will make the necessary allocations.

Hualien residents say trains are the only mode of public transportation connecting them with the rest of Taiwan, so they have no choice but to take trains. Meanwhile, others say they will support the TRA in this difficult time.