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If you look at the roof of a commuter train, you’ll often see large, box- shaped air conditioners sitting on top. Anyone who rides trains regularly has probably noticed them. But if you glance up at an Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) vehicle, you won’t see those units. The roof is perfectly flat and simple in design. So where, exactly, are the air conditioners hiding? The answer lies in a “distributed layout.” Just like a home air conditioner has both an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, AGT cars also split their system: the indoor units are tucked above the ceiling, while the outdoor units are installed beneath the floor. That’s why nothing is visible on the roof. So why not mount them on top, like in conventional trains? The reason comes from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “Basic Specifications for New Transit Systems.” These rules limit AGT vehicles to a maximum height of 3.3 meters. With such a restriction, there’s no space to add bulky equipment above. Instead, designers prioritize passenger comfort by keeping the ceiling as high as possible within that limit. The result is the clean, flat roofline that characterizes AGT vehicles. What may seem like a simple design choice actually reflects a thoughtful effort to make the ride feel more spacious and comfortable. Stay tuned for the next AGT Blog!

When people think of AGTs, the first image that often comes to mind is an elevated line. But some lines are “curveballs,” running not only on viaducts but also underground or at ground level.One of the best examples is the Yukarigaoka Line  in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture. Despite being just 2.5 miles (4.1 km) long, it packs in elevated track, ground -level sections, cuttings, and tunnels—almost like a model train layout brought to life. This line was built entirely with private funds by Yamaman, the developer behind the area, and the company has been operating it for more than 40 years since opening. Private railways running AGTs are extremely rare in Japan—there are only two: Seibu Railway’s Yamaguchi Line and the Yukarigaoka Line. The route forms a single-track loop shaped like a tennis racket. A 14-minute ride connects six stations, with scenery that changes dramatically along the way. After leaving Kōen Station, you pass through deep woods surrounding farmland and old shrines, where the trees shift colors with each season. Soon after comes a cluster of mid-rise apartment blocks, followed by quiet neighborhoods of single- family homes. Near the terminus, high-rise towers line the horizon, pulsing with the energy of city life. The variety of landscapes compressed into such a short ride makes it feel as if you’re traveling through a diorama. Each trip offers small discoveries —“I never realized this scenery was here!”—making it a hidden gem among Japan’s AGT lines. Stay tuned for the next AGT blog!

AGTs, which run on rubber tires, are designed to handle gradients as steep as 60 ‰. A 60 ‰ slope means the track rises 60 mm for every meter traveled, while conventional railways are typically limited to about 35 ‰. On mainline sections, the steepest is the New Shuttle at 59 ‰, followed by the Rokko Liner at 58 ‰. The Port Liner, Yurikamome, and Nippori–Toneri Liner each have gradients of 50 ‰, making steep inclines a common feature on many AGT routes. New Shuttle's 59 ‰ slope Thanks to their ability to handle such slopes, AGT lines can rise over or dive under Shinkansen tracks and expressways, with steep gradients found in many places. The planned extension of the Astram Line will include a 65 ‰ gradient. Yard connection tracks linking elevated guideways with ground-level depots—such as those on the Yurikamome—often feature 60 ‰ slopes. Among them, the yard connection track of the Nippori–Toneri Liner has a 65 ‰ grade, making it the steepest gradient on any AGT line in Japan today. Nippori-Toneri Liner's 65 ‰ slope Stay tuned for the next AGT blog!

Here are some Institute articles and activities published in various media. Articles Articles published in magazines コラム最新記事を表示 Display the latest Articles The Journal of Japan Railway Civil Engineering Association 2023 Augst vol.61 Series Overseas development of railroad facility infrastructure 32 AGT/APM's Overseas Expansion Init iatives 2023/08/02 Read full Articles

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