News

The Astana Light Rail System began trial operations on September 29.

According to the Capital City Transportation Systems (CTS) company, this marks a significant milestone, allowing for the testing of the infrastructure's technical readiness, traffic safety, and passenger comfort.

According to reports, the capital light rail will operate unmanned during the trial period. Experts will inspect the tracks, stations, communication networks, vehicles, safety systems, and traffic control systems during testing. Special focus will be placed on staff training, emergency response, and integration of the light rail with other modes of transportation.

The light rail trains are equipped with a GoA4 hardware and software integrated system—a fully automated control suite that enables train operations, maintaining safe distances between vehicles, stopping, door opening and closing, entering and exiting depots, and cleaning without any operator intervention.

GoA4 represents the highest level of automation in rail transport, and many cities strive to achieve this standard when constructing new lines or modernizing existing ones. For metro and light rail systems, GoA4 enhances efficiency, safety, and competitiveness compared to other modes of transportation. Currently, Singapore, Dubai, and China have implemented GoA4, while Astana is also adopting the same advanced GoA4 level, said Asylbek Duishebayev, Chairman of CTS Company.

Comprehensive testing of the equipment and infrastructure is expected to last at least six months. In the first phase, testing will be conducted between Station 112 and Station 113. The initial speed of the trains will be 10 kilometers per hour, which will gradually increase along with an expansion of the testing area. This approach aims to ensure maximum safety, thoroughly inspect the tracks, and gradually bring them up to design specifications.

We are preparing to operate light rail trains. We began theoretical training in Astana and enhanced practical skills in China. Additionally, we mastered critical skills such as driving electric trains and handling emergencies. After seven months of training, we have now entered the third phase—actively participating in testing. During this period, we will work on light rail braking systems, traction systems, and autonomous driving operations. These skills and experiences are vital for ensuring passenger safety.

As among the first in Kazakhstan to operate this new mode of transportation, we feel a great sense of responsibility and honor. Light rail represents a step toward modernization, and we are proud to contribute to it, said Aydar Nadezhbekov, a light rail driver.

Following the completion of testing, the light rail system will go into operation in 2026, providing the capital with a new generation of fully automated driverless transportation.

Application Products:

Bodian's flagship industrial-grade UPS power supplies and industrial intelligent charging vehicles are deployed at critical positions throughout the project, ensuring reliable and stable power supply for various essential equipment.

For this project, Bodian specially developed industrial-grade UPS systems were selected, including:

· ‌BOD80KVA‌ × 8 units

· ‌BOD60KVA‌ × 12 units

· ‌BOD40KVA‌ × 60 units

· ‌Intelligent charging vehicles (180KVA)‌ × 12 units
along with the accompanying bypass voltage stabilizing cabinet, AC input distribution cabinets, AC output feeder cabinets, and batteries.

The UPS systems have been installed and operational in station equipment rooms. This series of industrial-grade UPS power supplies, renowned for their excellent adaptability to grid environments, is widely used in industries such as rail transit, industrial manufacturing, oilfields, telecommunications, airports, broadcasting, banking, securities, healthcare, power generation, chemical plants, and ceramics.

Product Features:‌

· Single-unit power range: 2-1200kVA

· Double-conversion online technology

· Output isolation transformer for complete electrical isolation

· Fully digital control system

· DC cold start capability for convenient operation

· User-friendly HMI with color LCD touchscreen

· Comprehensive protection functions

· RPA (Redundant Parallel Architecture) support

· Advanced synchronous current-sharing control technology

· Optional Wi-Fi module for smart monitoring via mobile devices