100 Cameras: Tokyo Metro [video]

00:00

100 cameras installed in one place.

00:21

"The train to Shin-kiba has arrived on track 3."

00:24

"This is an express train to Motomachi-Chukagai."

00:30

Stopped. Open doors.

00:33

"We've arrived at Ikebukuro."

00:47

Tokyo Metro
A metropolitan subway 9 lines, 195 km.

00:57

6.51 million passengers per day.
A vast network.

01:06

Ensuring safety and punctuality from behind the scenes.

01:16

The Tokyo Metro's HQ
Filmed for the first time.

01:20

This is 25S, in Shibuya.

01:22

There was trouble on the train. We can't depart until the staff deal with it.

01:27

There's an emergency in car 3!

01:30

Battling against delays.

01:36

A passenger has fallen ill. Please send a wheelchair.

01:40

Can somebody get a wheelchair to car 6?

01:47

Someone dropped 10,000 yen at the ticket gate.

02:04

Here's where we put cameras...

02:21

Kotake-mukaihara Station - 2 lines diverge at this important transport hub.

02:54

I like eating thick noodles.

03:07

- Morning.
- Morning!

03:11

Platform for Shibuya and Shin-kiba

03:32

The 81S to Shin-kiba. Signage OK. All clear.

03:37

Yurakucho Line, bound for Shin-kiba

03:42

All clear here too.

03:43

Understood. Thank you.

03:51

Off, Open, Route, Jingle

03:56

Off: Door closed sign is off
Open: Platform doors are open
Route: The way is clear
Jingle: Plays a departure jingle

04:09

"Please stand clear of the closing doors."

04:13

Cameras show when it's safe to close the doors.

04:21

Lit, Flashing, Doors clear, Proceed signal, Departure, Auto operation, Auto control, Good position, Departing

04:30

Habit 1
Be a safety check fanatic

04:53

A bell sound
This signals a change in speed limit.

05:08

These trains are operated by a single driver.

05:16

"Please stand clear of the closing doors."

05:26

"Please don't rush onto the train."

05:28

Passengers saved from getting stuck.

05:33

Habit 2
Don't lose concentration for a moment.

05:46

The Tokyo Metro's HQ

05:51

For security reasons the location is secret

05:57

The cameras were installed by Tokyo Metro staff.

06:06

100 CAMERAS is special because a film crew doesn't attend.

06:14

Integrated Control Center
Manages all 9 lines

06:27

On the Yurakucho Line, there's a 2-2.5 min delay.

06:32

On the Fukutoshin Line, 1-2 min.

06:35

On both lines, direction B is operating on time.

06:44

Two lines share a section of track, so they're managed by one team.

06:54

Orange marks show the position of trains.

06:59

Up to 90 trains are monitored at once.

07:11

I haven't been eating well.

07:13

I have croquette soba every day.

07:19

Transport Directors of the Yurakucho and Fukutoshin lines - Guardians of the schedule

07:27

Good morning. This is Saotome.

07:34

From 6:32, 4.5 minutes at Musashi-Kosugi.

07:41

I'll inform the others.

07:48

Calling all stations on the Yurakucho and Fukutoshin lines.

07:54

This is Saotome at the Control Center.

07:57

The Tokyu Line is delayed by around 4 minutes.

08:01

8 lines converge
Delays are common.

08:19

- This is 12K.
- Go ahead.

08:23

The train needs cleaning.

08:25

Someone vomited in seat 2 of car 6.

08:29

Vomit at seat 2. OK.

08:33

I'll arrange cleaning.

08:39

A diagram shows train arrival times.

08:46

- Let's ask Kotake Stn.?
- OK.

08:49

We don't want a delay.

08:50

No, we can't do that.

08:59

This is Abe at Kotake-mukaihara.

09:02

This is Miyazaki at the Control Center.

09:04

A mess on a train needs cleaning.

09:18

Sawdust is used to clean.

09:38

We cleaned most of it, but it had spread.

09:43

- So you couldn't get it all?
- That's right.

09:58

Hello. This is Kotake-mukaihara Station.

10:02

You asked us to clean 12K.

10:05

The mess had spread, so we couldn't clean it all.

10:14

Maybe Higashi-shinjuku.

10:21

This is Kubo at the Control Center.

10:23

A mess on a train needs cleaning.

10:26

Habit 3
A cleaning relay keeps the train on time

10:36

- This is 55S.
- Go ahead 55S.

10:40

We've made an emergency stop.

10:42

Where's 55? Edogawabashi?

10:51

59S, approaching Edogawabashi. Quickly, stop the train.

10:57

Fourth car from the front.

11:01

"There's an emergency stop signal at Edogawabashi."

11:08

This is Miyazaki at the Control Center.

11:24

OK. First, can you turn off the emergency stop signal?

11:29

"An emergency stop signal was activated three stops away, at Edogawabashi."

11:37

"We're conducting safety checks."

11:40

Edogawabashi is calling.

11:44

This is Ishii at the Control Center.

11:47

You've heard more about the passenger's condition.

11:50

It seems like anemia. OK.

11:53

They've regained consciousness, and they're heading home.

12:03

Yurakucho Line 6-minute delay

12:10

Let's try to adjust.

12:18

This is a status update for all trains.

12:24

Thank you for dealing with the morning rush.

12:28

The Yurakucho Line is delayed by 6 min.

12:32

We'll be adjusting the spacing between trains.

12:35

Uneven spacing increases delays, so the spacing is regulated.

12:38

Can 16K save 3 minutes?

12:42

It can save 3 minutes.

12:45

If we adjust them in order, it'll work.

12:53

Great idea. Good job, Yoshida.

12:56

"Now arriving at Yurakucho."

13:04

A signal shows the waiting time

13:13

Stopped. Open doors.

13:16

Off, Open, Adjustment.

13:20

We're adjusting the spacing between trains.

13:23

Please stand by for departure.

13:28

Spacing adjustments alleviate congestion.

13:38

Stopping between stations makes passengers feel confined and anxious.

13:46

Time adjustments are made at stations as far as possible.

13:52

Adjustment complete.

13:54

Thank you for waiting. We will now depart.

14:00

We're sorry for the inconvenience caused by today's delays.

14:06

The next stop is Shin-kiba.

14:10

Habit 4
Always prioritize passengers

14:22

Specialists, on a night shift.

14:50

After the last train has departed...

15:11

They work for 3 hours while there are no trains. They inspect and maintain the track.

15:26

- How much?
- Minus 1.

15:31

Measure the relative height of the rails.

15:55

If ignored, warped rails could cause major accidents.

16:23

The height is adjusted with 0.5 mm plates.

16:38

The height discrepancy is brought within 5 mm (in this case).

16:57

Tonight, the team worked on 9 meters of track
(The Tokyo Metro has 195 km in total).

17:13

Habit 5
The subway never sleeps.

17:20

Kotake-mukaihara Station

17:30

Switching 2R. Good.

17:32

Switching 101R. Good.

17:35

Route, good. Display, good. Route, good. Display, good.

17:45

Signaling
Adjusting junctions and signals to determine the course of a train.

18:03

Operational errors could cause a major accident.

18:11

With 34 junctions, this is the Metro's most challenging station.

18:34

Can we conduct on-site training?

18:36

You want to change a signal? Go ahead.

18:40

Switch to manual operation.

18:42

Changing to manual.

18:45

Signaling is usually automatic.

18:50

Manual operation gives flexibility in case of
major schedule problems and other emergencies.

18:58

In preparation, staff are trained to use manual operation.

19:08

Trainees learn to anticipate and direct trains.

19:22

All clear. Switching 19.

19:40

- 1 isn't done.
- No.

19:42

Apologies. Switching 2.

19:44

Good. Switching 101.

19:48

"Control Center for Kotake Signal Cabin."

19:50

Hello. Kotake Signal Cabin.

19:54

59S is at Wakoshi right now.

19:57

And 89S is coming next. Can you allow for connection time?

20:06

They want to allow connection time between 59S and 89S.

20:15

Departure delayed to allow passengers to change trains.

20:29

I'll get 59S to depart. Opening doors.

20:34

- You forgot the connection time.
- Sorry!

20:39

Switching the home signal until 89S departs. Switching 2.

20:44

Saved by a senior's check

20:56

Wakoshi Station Signal Cabin

21:03

"Calling all trains and stations."

21:06

"There's a warning signal at the crossing

21:12

between Kita-sakado and Takasaka.

21:16

15T is conducting a safety check."

21:22

A 5-minute morning delay is disastrous.

21:30

Good morning. This is Yoshida at the Control Center.

21:34

There's an obstruction warning between Kita-sakado and Takasaka.

21:40

And it's holding 15T back.

21:44

OK, thanks very much.

21:46

This is Ito at the Tokyo Metro.

21:54

The 7:25 on the Seibu Line is delayed.

21:57

A passenger fell ill at Oizumi-gakuen.

22:01

30M is delayed by 4 minutes.

22:03

A 4-minute delay from 30M on.

22:06

There are delays everywhere.

22:08

7:30 to 8:00 is cursed.

22:11

The emergency yesterday happened at 8.

22:15

It always happens around this time.

22:24

This is Yoshida at the Control Center.

22:31

Emergency in car 3.

22:37

An emergency in car 3!

22:39

I'll contact Meiji-jingumae.

22:41

There's an emergency on 87S, on direction A.

22:46

This is about 87S, the next train.

22:50

We are responding to an emergency on 87S. So, there'll be a delay.

22:56

A man in his 50s. He's not drunk?

23:01

So he can rest in the office, right?

23:04

On 23K at Kanamecho, luggage is stuck in the door.

23:13

What's happening with 59K at Shinjuku-sanchome?

23:17

59K hasn't departed.

23:19

The station staff are running.

23:21

"This is the driver of 59K.

23:24

It's door number 7. A passenger's luggage is trapped."

23:34

A malfunctioning door?

23:49

The problems keep coming!

23:58

19K stopped too. This is awful.

24:15

Solution 1
Service transfer (Swap the order of different trains)

25:11

Wakoshi Signal Cabin.

25:13

This is Miyakawa at the Control Center.

25:18

Can you change to manual operation?

25:22

Schedule problems lead to manual signaling.

25:27

They want manual operation.

25:31

Calling all stations. This is Miyakawa at the Control Center.

25:37

15T is delayed by 5 to 6 minutes.

25:42

Let's do a service transfer at Wakoshi.

25:45

That'll reduce the delay.

25:51

This is Tanaka at Wakoshi.

25:53

Please transfer 03T and 15T.

25:56

There's not much time. Sorry.

26:02

- Yaji, you go.
- OK.

26:03

OK Yaji, help out 15T.

26:08

Solution 2
A driver gives additional help

26:21

The driver walks 200m to the front.

26:38

Immediate turnarounds save time.

26:43

Sorry it's so sudden!

26:46

I'm heading to 03T.

26:48

Thanks very much. See you.

26:52

The train being turned around.

26:56

"This is Wakoshi, the final stop."

26:59

This is Yaji, from Wakoshi.

27:01

I'm helping out with the turnaround. I'll drive back after the turnaround.

27:17

The train reaches the turnaround point.

27:28

OK, we'll start with track 4.

27:30

For 15T, switching 71.

27:47

Signal on, transfer checked, direction A, code 40.

28:09

Delay reduced by 5 mins 30 secs

28:23

The Yurakucho Line's struggling too. Let's make adjustments.

28:27

Calling all trains and stations.

28:29

We're changing the departure order between Kotake-mukaihara and Wakoshi.

28:35

We're also changing destinations and conducting service transfers.

28:44

Responds via manual operation

28:52

Shall we allow connection time on track 1?

29:00

The train on track 1 should wait.

29:08

We're adjusting the spacing between trains.

29:12

Departure will be delayed by 2 minutes.

29:16

We apologize for the inconvenience.

29:20

Habit 6
Teamwork keeps the trains on time

29:25

Well done for handling the morning delays.

29:29

The chaotic morning rush has been overcome!

29:32

The delays were worse than yesterday, but I think I did better.

29:39

You're doing great. Stay confident.

29:46

Thank you very much.