Introduction

Angola is a country that faces serious mobility problems. In the most populous
province of the country, Luanda, there is a fleet of more than 500 urban buses,
which circulate mainly in the central regions. In working hours, they are usually
crowded with passengers. Those who dominate the streets are the famous blue
and white.

Pic. 1. White-Blue Taxi in Luanda

Another transport route widely used by the population is the motorized ones. They
help a lot in the circulation of goods and people, facilitating the road dynamics,
but due to the poor state of the roads, the circulation of motorized vehicles ends
up having a weak performance.
The rate of dirt roads and roads in poor condition is high.
It is rare to find traffic lights at the city level.
Traffic jams are common especially at rush hour.
"Taking a bus in Luanda is a tremendous difficulty, for me who leave Viana, a
very populous municipality, it becomes chaos. In order to get to the place of
service early, we need to leave home many hours in advance and even so we
run the risk of arriving dirty because it is so difficult to catch the buses in the city,"
said Armando Manuel.
Gersona Muacassanje, 24, a resident of Zango 2, said she sells food in downtown
and uses public transport daily, although it is very difficult to catch the buses.
"There are no easy days and on weekends there is a reduction in the number of
public transport".
Factors such as these contribute to mobility difficulties in Luanda.
Analyzing this situation, the following question arose:
How to develop an effective and climate-friendly solution to solve this
problem?

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1. Electric Solar-Powered Trains

1.1. What is an electric train metro ?

An electric train metro, commonly known as a metro or subway, is a type of

electric train system used for urban rapid transit. It consists of a network of trains
that run on tracks either underground or elevated above the street level, making
frequent stops at stations typically located in densely populated areas.
Electric train metros usually operate within a city or metropolitan area, providing
a fast, reliable, and convenient mode of transportation for commuters. The trains
are powered by electricity from an external source, such as overhead wires or
third rails, and are designed to move large numbers of passengers quickly and
efficiently while reducing traffic congestion and environmental pollution.
Electric train metros often have dedicated tracks and tunnels, which helps them
avoid traffic congestion on city streets, making them a popular choice for
commuters in heavily populated cities with traffic problems. Many modern electric
train metros have advanced technology, such as automatic train control systems,
driverless operation, and real-time information displays, to improve safety,
efficiency, and passenger experience.
Examples of electric train metros include the New York City Subway, London
Underground, Paris Metro, Tokyo Subway, and many others in major
metropolitan areas around the world.

1.2. Electrical Railway Transportation

Electric railway transportation works by utilizing electrical power to propel trains
and provide them with the necessary energy for movement. Here is a simplified
explanation of how it works:
1. Power Generation: Electricity is generated at power stations using various
sources such as coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, or renewable sources like wind
and solar.
2. Power Transmission: The generated electricity is converted to high voltage for
efficient transmission over long distances through power lines or cables.
3. Substation: At substations along the railway line, the high voltage electricity is
stepped down to a lower voltage suitable for use in trains.
4. Overhead Lines (Overhead Electrification System): Along the railway tracks,
there are overhead lines carrying the reduced voltage electric power. These lines
consist of a catenary wire and a contact wire that are suspended from supports
or poles.
5. Pantograph: Each train is equipped with a pantograph, which is an apparatus
mounted on the roof that collects electricity from the overhead lines. It consists of
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a set of springs and carbon shoes that make contact with the contact wire and
draw power.
6. Power Distribution: The electricity collected by the pantograph is distributed to
various systems on the train, including traction motors, lighting, heating, and
ventilation.
7. Traction Motors: The electricity powers the traction motors, typically located in
the train's axle, which convert electrical energy into mechanical energy to move
the train forward or backward.
8. Control Systems: The train's control system manages the power supplied to
the traction motors, enabling the operator to accelerate, decelerate, or stop the
train as required.
9. Regenerative Braking: Electric trains often employ regenerative braking, which
allows them to recover and recycle some of the energy used during deceleration,
returning it back to the power grid for reuse.
10. Passenger Comfort Systems: The electricity also powers various passenger
comfort systems such as air conditioning, lighting, and onboard entertainment.
Overall, electric railway transportation offers an efficient and environmentally
friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuel-powered trains, reducing emissions
and reliance on non-renewable resources.

1.3. Begin of electrical railway transportation

The development of electric railway transportation began in the late 19th century.
The first practical electric-powered railway system was introduced at the Berlin
Exhibition in Germany in 1879 by Siemens & Halske, utilizing a third rail for
power supply. However, the first operational electric tramway opened in
Lichterfelde near Berlin in 1881, using an overhead line for power distribution.
In terms of electric trains, the first electrified railway for regular passenger service
was the Gross-Lichterfelde Tramway in Berlin, which opened in May 1881. This
marked the beginning of electric railway transportation.
Further advancements in electric railways were made in other parts of Europe
and North America. For example, the first electric underground railway system,
the City & South London Railway (now part of the London Underground),
opened in London in 1890. The electrification of mainline railways also began in
this era, with several notable projects such as the Mount Royal Tunnel in Canada
(1918) and the Milwaukee Road's electrification of its lines in the United States
(1915-1922).
Since then, electric railway transportation has continued to expand worldwide,
with numerous countries adopting electrification as a primary means of powering
their railway systems. Today, electric trains are a common sight in many urban

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areas and serve as an efficient and environmentally friendly mode of
transportation.

1.4. Solar panel-based trains

Solar panel-based trains, also known as solar-powered trains, utilize solar energy
as a supplementary power source to operate the train's electrical systems. Here's
a simplified explanation of how they work:
1. Solar Panels: Solar panels are mounted on the roof of the train or along the
tracks. These panels are made up of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into
electricity.
2. Energy Conversion: When sunlight hits the solar panels, the photovoltaic cells
absorb the photons and generate an electric current through the photovoltaic
effect. This direct current (DC) is then converted into alternating current (AC)
using inverters.
3. Power Supply: The electricity generated by the solar panels is used to power
various electrical systems on the train, such as lighting, air conditioning, doors,
and communication systems. In some cases, the solar energy can also be used
to charge onboard batteries for later use.
4. Integration with Existing Power Systems: Solar-powered trains are typically
integrated with the existing power supply infrastructure of the rail network. This
allows the train to draw additional power from the conventional grid when needed,
especially during periods of low sunlight or high energy demand.
5. Energy Management: A control system manages the distribution of power
between the solar-generated electricity and the conventional power supply. It
ensures that the train operates smoothly by seamlessly transitioning between
different power sources to meet its energy requirements.
While solar panels can provide auxiliary power to run certain systems onboard
the train, it's important to note that they may not be sufficient to entirely propel
the train's movement. The primary propulsion energy for trains is still typically
derived from other sources, such as electric overhead lines or third rails
connected to the electric grid.

Pic.2. Electric train

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2. Characteristics of the electric train in Luanda

2.1.Main feature
Monorail System Train with electric traction and supported by tires, which moves
on a 69 cm wide beam, with side tires for guidance and stabilization.
Elevated Tracks and Stations – height between 15 and 20 m.
Minimum Commercial Speed: 35 km/h.
Maximum Greide = 6%. Two Yards, Oratório and Ragueb Chohfi, with capacity
for 27 trains each.

2.2.Operational characteristics:
Design headway = 75 seconds (with 20 seconds stop with open doors at
stations).
Operational headway = 90 seconds.
Loading of 6 passes. standing p/m².
Transport capacity: 48,000 passengers per hour per direction (pphpd). Average
speed greater than 35 km/h and maximum operating speed = 80 km/h.

2.3.Characteristics of predicted demand:

Porto de Luanda – FILDA = 313,000 users/day.
FILDA – Zona da Comarca de Viana= 210,000 users/day.
Zona da Comarca de Viana – Zango = 550,000.

2.4.Characteristics of the construction steps:

Section 1: Porto de Luanda – FILDA = 13.0 km, 10 stations and 1 courtyard
Excerpt 2: FILDA – Zona da Comarca de Viana = 11.5 km, 7 stations and 1 yard,
Total Length of Extension: 24.5 km.
Total without extension: 17 stations with platform length = 90 m.

2.5.Rolling material – characteristics:

Train Fleet – 54 trains.
Train made up of 7 cars and free passage between cars.
AC traction motors, water cooled.
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UTO Operation – Autonomous Train Operation, without operator.
Passenger lounge with air conditioning.
Cameras in cars and recording images.
Voice communication between users and the CCO.
Capacity per Train: 1,002 passengers (6 passes/m²)
Seated passengers: 122, including 2 seats for obese people.
Standing passengers: 880.
Train width: 3,147 mm
Maximum train length: 85.289 mm
Door width: 1,600 mm, 4 doors per car.
Height from floor to ceiling: 2,100 mm.

2.6.Signaling system:
CBTC – Headway for Loading 48,000 pphpd (pass/hour/direction).

2.7.Platform doors:
On all platforms
Height 2.5 m

2.8.Hydraulic systems:
Pumping system for fire fighting, consumption and sewage.
Control system

2.9.Centralized:
Supervision and control of all station, track and yard systems.
Centralization of diagnostics.

2.10.Local:
Supervision and control of station systems
Station operational automation

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2.11.From the patios:
Supervision and control of all Yard systems in the Control Center.

2.12. Elements of Transformation Process:

Pic.3. Solar-powered trains diagram

Special curved solar panels have been installed on the roof of both carriages,
which between them collect and generate up to 6.5 kW of solar energy to charge
the train's batteries. There is also a large array of photovoltaic solar panels on
the roof of the train's storage shed, capable of producing up to an additional 30
kW, which can be connected by cables to recharge the train's batteries. The train
is also equipped with a regenerative braking system that turns the traction motors
into generators during braking to recharge the batteries.

All train equipment is powered by lithium-ion batteries, including traction power,

lighting, air compressors and control circuits. To reduce electrical consumption,
all lighting was replaced with LED.

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3. Advantages and Desadvantages

Numerous studies confirm the socio-economic and environmental viability of

metro and rail projects, demonstrating that they yield benefits surpassing public
investments. Tangible benefits, measurable in monetary terms, include reduced
traffic accidents, shorter travel times, lower fuel consumption, elimination of
congestion, reduced atmospheric and noise pollution, increased property value,
lowered urban road maintenance costs, reduced vehicle operational costs, and
increased tax revenue. Additionally, intangible benefits such as comfort, safety,
tranquility, and improved quality of life are generated.
Gasoline and diesel used in tire-based urban transport are major pollutants
contributing to global warming and air pollution, emitting carbon monoxide,
nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter. These
emissions cause environmental damage, increase the greenhouse effect, and
significantly contribute to the illness and death of thousands of Angolans
annually. Carbon monoxide, in large quantities, leads to dizziness, vertigo,
central nervous system alterations, and can be fatal. Sulfur dioxide, present in
diesel combustion, causes runny nose and irreversible lung damage and can be
fatal in high doses. Soot can affect people's lungs, worsen allergic conditions like
asthma and bronchitis, irritate the nose and throat, and facilitate the spread of flu
infections. Electric train systems emit 75% less nitrogen oxide than automobiles
and almost no hydrocarbons or carbon monoxide. The noise pollution from
chaotic traffic leads to sleep disturbances, stress, hearing loss, headaches,
nausea, loss of concentration, palpitations, and allergies.

The high energy efficiency of electric train systems, resulting in energy savings,
stands as a significant advantage over road competition. The scarcity of energy
sources in relation to increasing demand, coupled with steep rises in oil prices,
justifies redirecting policies to encourage investments in metro and rail transport.
For every 10,000 vehicles with only one occupant diverted to the electric train
system, approximately 10 million liters of fuel are saved. Electric power, the
driving fuel of modern electric train systems, represents a renewable and clean
energy source compared to petroleum-derived fuels. A full train possesses an
energy efficiency 15 times higher than that of an automobile. Metro and rail
transport make better use of urban space, as a metro line can transport 60,000
passengers per hour, while a lane for urban buses can reach 6,700 passengers
per hour, and three lanes for cars cannot exceed 5,450 passengers per hour.
Approximately 1,200 passengers are transported in a metro train, equivalent to a
queue of 25 buses or 830 cars.
Electric train systems have low accident rates and prevent thousands of traffic-
related deaths, causing fewer damages to families and society.
Ultimately, there's no argument to support government decisions against
implementing electric train systems in Luanda's major regions. Despite their high

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financial costs for implementation, maintenance, and operation, in social,
economic, and environmental terms, metros and urban trains will always be
viable and beneficial for the population's quality of life.
Regarding the disadvantages: High initial capital costs, potential electrical risks,
visual intrusion of the aerial system, electrical interference in communication
systems, inflexibility due to fixed routes, possible need for other modes of
transport for final destination delivery, and limited government investment for
railway network growth.

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Conclusion

We can conclued only a large-scale urban rail transport system can solve these
eternal mobility problems in Luanda's major municipalities.
In reality, there is no definitive solution to the traffic on roads like 1 de Maio-Viana,
Zango-Benfica, etc., without a comprehensive and integrated electric train
system.
Solar-powered trains are an emerging technology, and their implementation is
currently limited to specific applications, such as powering auxiliary systems or
supporting energy-saving initiatives in train stations. However, ongoing
advancements in solar technology may lead to further exploration and adoption
of solar energy as a primary power source for trains in the future.
Ultimately, there's no argument to support government decisions against
implementing electric train systems in Luanda's major regions. Despite their high
financial costs for implementation, maintenance, and operation, in social,
economic, and environmental terms, metros and urban trains will always be
viable and beneficial for the population's quality of life.

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