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Bigger Automated Guideway Train ready for testing

Manila, Philippines — A bigger Automated Guideway Train (AGT) system with 120-passenger coaches will be tested in March, an official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said yesterday.

The AGT is one of three mass transport projects being undertaken by the Metal Industry Research and Development Institute (MIRDC). The other two are the centrally-powered Road Train and trains for Philippine National Railways (PNR) with “a regenerative system” of power generation.

Jonathan Q. Puerto, MIRDC deputy executive director, told the Manila Bulletin that preparations are in full swing for pilot testing of the AGT coach prototype at the 372-meter AGT elevated concrete track in front of the DOST Complex in Bicutan, Taguig City.

The 372-meter track was built at a cost of about P39 million.

Puerto said the MIRDC is eyeing the middle of March “as an ideal” time frame to test the AGT.

The Bicutan AGT has two prototype coaches, each worth around P10 million, with motor and other accessories.

“We want to road test the AGT once it is placed on the track, and not have any delay,” he said.

After the first and smaller prototype was tested on a 465-meter elevated track at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman Campus, the AGT already generated interest from various quarters.

“There are many interested in the AGT,” said Puerto. He said one of those interested is the local government of Baguio City.

He said there are also some private companies that have signified interest in the AGT.

“Aside from the obvious of solving the transportation and traffic problems, (the projects) will also contribute in the competitiveness of the local manufacturing industry,” said DOST Assistant Secretary Robert Dizon, MIRDC executive director.

  • Pidro

    Good for fast growing cities’ traffic! Batangas City and Lipa City should think of bringing this technology in to ease up road congestions that grow troublesome each year.