One of the Vitória-Minas Railroad (EFVM)’s passenger trains, which travels daily between the city of Cariacica in the state of Espírito Santo and the capital of the state of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, has been equipped with an electronically activated braking system. It is the first passenger train in Brazil to feature this technology.
The innovation, in which Vale has invested R$1.6 million, is similar to that used by the world’s most advanced trains. The new system ensures that braking takes place uniformly among all train cars, thereby avoiding overload and wear and tear in couplings, and improving safety. Passengers benefit from smoother, more comfortable stops and shorter travel times – 30 minutes faster for the two-way journey. Four locomotives and 24 passenger cars are already equipped with the new technology, which was developed in the USA. It is expected that by the end of 2013, EFVM’s entire fleet of 62 cars will have the new equipment. Vale also intends to implement the innovation on the Carajás Railroad (EFC).
New system on Carajás Railroad
Vale is also investing in a remote control system on the Carajás Railroad, which connects the Brazilian states of Pará and Maranhão. The first team of yard locomotive engineers is currently being trained to operate locomotives using this system. The technology, used for the first time on Vale’s railroads, allows certain loading and unloading maneuvers to be carried out by an engineer outside the locomotive, making operations safer and faster.