Dost Article

DOST launches its first-ever Phl made transit

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) proudly launches its first-ever Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) test run project at University of the Philippines Diliman.

AGT is a mass transportation system which is made by highly-trained engineers here in the Philippines. It aims to lessen the cause of traffic and air pollution around Metro Manila.

The test run is conducted by DOST Secretary Mario Montejo, UP President Alfredo Pascual and other officials, in a 465 meter elevated track which connects the College of Fine Arts and University Avenue inside UP Diliman campus. It is made up of an elevated concrete and is 6.1 meters high.

According to Secretary Montejo, AGT will provide training to local engineers in designing, creating and managing our very own transport system. Montejo expresses his delight among our world class engineers since the cost of the train equipments are cheaper than the once made internationally.

Moreover, UP President Pascual commends the construction of local mass transportation for it has a positive effect in our economy. He said that AGT will lessen pollution and will help minimize the effect of climate change in the Philippines.

The purpose of the test run is to strengthen the speed and capacity of AGT while preparing its mechanism, control, power and stress system. Another aim of the test run is to trouble shoot and gain its objective of a fully-automated transit with a 60-sitting capacity and to travel for up to 60 kilometers per hour.

The result of the test run will be the basis of its recommendation for the management to design a regular-sized train that will aboard more than 60 passengers.

Source: Balitang RapiDOST, December 2012 issue