Gourtto STORY (Summer 2022 issue)

The City of Yokohama, Transportation Bureau magazine "Gurutto" introduces people who work on municipal subways and buses under the title "Works STATION."
This series focuses on the backside of municipal transportation, which is hard to know in daily life. We will deliver interviews that did not fit in the magazine as a web-only article!　This time, we have an interview with Miwa Watanabe, who is in charge of the 4000 type business in the Vehicle Section of the Technology Management Department.

The 4000 model, the first new model in 29 years.
City of Yokohama, Transportation Bureau celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021. We have been working on more than 60 subway vehicles. The following year, in May 2022, the new 4000 model was introduced on the municipal subway blue line. This is the first new type of vehicle in 29 years, replacing it with the oldest "3000A" model on the current train.

From the questionnaire conducted by Yokohama City, the image of Yokohama was extracted and reflected in the design. It has a stylish design based on the concept of "advanced urban feeling of the seaside". The first vehicle has been improved to conform to the concept while retaining the traditional "ku"-shaped nuances that were used in conventional blue line vehicles. As a whole, the edges of the plane and straight lines stand out, and the expression of the car body changes depending on the viewing angle.

The floor and seat surface are eye-catching with blue, the symbol color of the blue line. The seat width has been expanded from 470mm to 480mm while inheriting the conventional bucket seat (design that wraps the body) where the seat position is easy to understand. The material of the seat surface is also reviewed to improve the comfort of sitting. The sleeves at the end of the seat are also enlarged, so you can secure a personal space even if you are sitting or standing, so you can spend a comfortable time.

New vehicles to be updated

Mr. Watanabe, who has been involved in the design work of the municipal subway, said that he originally worked in the private automobile industry. Since I was born in Yokohama and handled engines such as cars and buses, I decided to be able to utilize my technology in City of Yokohama, Transportation Bureau. "But when I entered, I found that trains and cars were different cultures. It was a start from 0."

After joining the station, he was in charge of designing the 3000V type for about three years, and he participated in the new 4000 type business plan. The 4000 shape was created with a better understanding of the essence of the excellent parts in the design and design of the 3000 shape. For example, in addition to door opening and closing notice lights and wheelchair fixtures, which were previously installed as barrier-free functions, the handrails in the wheelchair / stroller area have been changed from one step to two steps to make it easier for people with various heights to use.

"What are you going to take in a limited budget? That kind of selection is the part that uses the head most. We decided through discussions with the team so that a wide range of customers can ride with peace of mind, including barrier-free and safety."

Self-confidence work created over four years starts operation

"When I first participated in the 4000 type project, I was in charge of design work at the central government office, but since the train was completed, I was doing test-related work at the Kaminagaya Depot," says Watanabe. At the depot, he said he tried all the actions he thought about by train. In addition to actually moving the train, we conducted a variety of tests, such as deliberately sliding the wheel with water or laying an aquarium inside the car to move it in a state close to full capacity.

About 4 years since the start of the 4000 business. Mr. Watanabe says, "I had a lot of hard work," but his expression shows a sense of fulfillment. "It's the real pleasure of technical work to see the actual shape from the state of the first drawing. If you think that customers can ride, there is a sense of accomplishment. It's a self-confidence work that brings together all the stations, so I hope you enjoy the movement."

The new model "4000 Type" is scheduled to be introduced by the end of FY2023, and the first train is already in operation. I would like you to ride and experience a new vehicle that is more convenient and comfortable.