Kobe New Transit 2000 series

Kobe New Transit 2000 and 2020 series
2000 series train on the Port Island Line
In service	2006 - Present
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Replaced	Kobe New Transit 8000 series
Constructed	2005 - 2009, 2015
Entered service	2 February 2006
Number built	114 vehicles (19 sets)
Formation	6 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	2x01–2x17, 2x20, 2x21
Operators	Kobe New Transit
Lines served	Port Island Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Train length	50.4 m (165 ft 4 in)
Car length	8.4 m (27 ft 7 in)
Width	2,492 mm (8 ft 2.1 in)
Height	3.27 m (10 ft 9 in)
Maximum speed	60 km/h (37 mph)
Traction system	PWM 3-level IGBT–VVVF
Traction motors	6 × 110 kW (148 hp) self-ventilated 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output	660 kW (885 hp)
Acceleration	0.97 m/s^2 (2.2 mph/s)
Deceleration	0.97 m/s^2 (2.2 mph/s) (service) 1.3 m/s^2 (2.9 mph/s) (emergency)
Electric system(s)	600 V 60 Hz 3-phase AC third rail[1]
Braking system(s)	Regenerative brake, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes
Safety system(s)	ATC/ATO
Track gauge	1,740 mm (5 ft 9 in)

The Kobe New Transit 2000 series (神戸新交通2000型) is an automated guideway transit (AGT) vehicle used for passenger service on the Port Island Line (Port Liner) of the Kobe New Transit. The trains were introduced on February 2, 2006, to coincide with the extension of the Port Island Line to the newly opened Kobe Airport. The series is a successor to the 8000 series trains that ran on Port Liner from the line's opening in 1981 until November 2009.

Background

Introduced on February 2, 2006, simultaneously with the extension of the Port Liner to Kobe Airport, the 2000 series is based on the Kawasaki Computer Control Vehicle (KCV) developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the same company that manufactures the 8000 series rolling stock used for the Port Liner since service began. Therefore, it has guide wheels for floating switches installed on both sides of the cars. 2000 series and 8000 series are the only New Transit System rolling stock to handle this type. Since the last of the ageing 8000 series trains were withdrawn in 2009, additional 2000 series rolling stock may be manufactured in the future. Formation numbers are 13 through 15.

Physical design

The exterior of the 2000 series is different from the 8000 series with the unpainted stainless steel body wrapped by lines in the corporate colors, green and blue. The logo mark next to the doors on the 8000 series is not present. The carriage has been changed to the same core-type pneumatic rubber tires used on the 1000 series. The interior is also different from the 8000 series with warm-colored box seats in a 2+1 arrangement. It is also equipped with overhead baggage racks and blinds. As in the 8000 series there is piping on the ceiling above the entry/exit doors to substitute for hand straps, but its shape is different. The communications device has been changed to intercom-form.

Barrier-free (accessibility) conversion

Manufactured in accordance with the Transportation Accessibility Law, the 2000 series has from its beginning had wheelchair spaces and over-door LED information displays to indicate on which side the doors will open with multi-lingual support. 8000 series rolling stock was remodeled to include these features also. The intercom and emergency stop button were also moved close to the wheelchair space and their height adjusted to be usable from a wheelchair. Car body interior space was enlarged (by removing the baggage areas found in the 8000 series), and the elevation difference between platform and entry/exit doors reduced.

References

1. 神戸新交通 2000系 [Kobe New Transit 2000 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 46, no. 538. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. February 2006. pp. 116–117.

External links

• Washington University: History Review
• Kobe PRT History
• New Kobe Transit Co., LTD (Japanese)
• New Kobe Transit Co., LTD (English)
• Washington University: Automated Guided Transit