Market Trends of Monorail System Industry
Straddle Type Monorails are Expected to Hold a Larger Share Compared to Suspended Type Monorails
A straddle monorail is a system where passenger cars can use wheels to travel on the track/beam. Apart from these walking wheels, there are stabilizing and guiding wheels on both sides of the bogie, which clamp on the sides of the track/beam to ensure safety and smooth running.
This makes the straddle monorail system suitable for urban and complex terrains that are surrounded by a high concentration of buildings, mountainous landscapes, landscapes, cities, and suburban areas. It is also a good choice for countries with low economic growth and fiscal revenue to develop urban rail transit in their cities.
The monorail track/beam system comprises a precast reinforced concrete structure integrated with some structural parts, power supply, and signal facilities. As a result, it has characteristics such as small volume, compact design, and a good landscape for passengers. The rail also does not have a pantograph and overhead power supply, thus considerably decreasing the effective height of the whole system. As the fence can travel in a slight curvature, and the track is mainly elevated above the road, it requires less land use than the traditional rail system. This subsequently makes better use of the limited space available in cities and reduces the need for unwanted urban demolition. Hence, this system is preferred over the suspension type. However, there are a few developments regarding suspension-type monorails as well. For instance,
- In October 2023, China introduced its first suspended monorail line to the public in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province. The initial phase of the line spans 10.5 kilometers, with six stations located in the Optics Valley, a national innovation demonstration zone in Wuhan.
Asia-Pacific Dominates the Monorail Systems Market
Asia-Pacific is experiencing rapid growth in the monorail systems market due to several factors. Firstly, the region is undergoing significant urbanization and population growth, leading to increased demand for efficient and sustainable transportation solutions. Monorail systems offer a viable option for mass transit in densely populated urban areas, helping alleviate traffic congestion and reduce pollution.
Secondly, many countries in Asia-Pacific are investing heavily in infrastructure development, including transportation projects. Governments are prioritizing the expansion of public transportation networks to improve connectivity and enhance mobility for their citizens. Monorail systems are being deployed as part of these initiatives to provide reliable and high-capacity transit options.
Additionally, technological advancements and innovations in the monorail systems market are driving growth in the Asia Pacific region. Manufacturers are developing state-of-the-art monorail trains and infrastructure, incorporating features such as automation, digitalization, and energy efficiency. These advancements make monorail systems attractive for governments and transit authorities seeking modern and sustainable transportation solutions.
Some of the developments include:
- Expectations are high for the revival of Mumbai monorail services following the delivery of the first coach of the four-car mono train to its Wadala depot in March 2024. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has tasked Medha SMH Rail Pvt. Ltd with the acquisition of ten four-car trains.
- Alstom, a renowned advocate of intelligent and sustainable transportation, announced the initiation of trial passenger service for Bangkok’s MRT Pink Line. The Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr Srettha Thavisin, inaugurated the new rail service on November 21, 2023, offering complimentary public trials until December 30, 2023.
