Siemens Mobility makes tracks in rail automation
Siemens Mobility, Deutsche Bahn and others made strides in an automated train development project after tests proved the technical feasibility of the concept.
The intelligent transport company and German national rail operator are collaborating with relevant industry and scientific partners on the AutomatedTrain project.
Siemens Mobility stated testing proved the viability of Grade of Automation 4, the highest tier in relevant self-driving technology, by having one of its Mireo trains transfer from a depot to a station to begin services.
Marc Ludwig, CEO of Rail Infrastructure, said Siemens Mobility and its partners have “developed the decisive technologies” which establish the “foundation for the next generation of rail transport”.
The work is “a significant step forward in bringing automation to the railway”, he added.
Testing involved the train receiving instructions then preparing itself for operation by conducting necessary tests before embarking on a journey where it “independently detects obstacles and reacts appropriately”.
Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy Johannes Steiniger branded the concept as “the future of mobility” and an example of how autonomy could help maintain a reliable rail service in the face of a shortage of skilled staff.
Technical points
Siemens Mobility stated the system relies on digital signalling technology based on the European Train Control System, which in part employs mobile networks to transfer real-time information.
Automatic Train Operation technology and intelligent vehicle control systems are also in the mix, with the Advanced Vital Vehicle Operation platform providing pre- and in-operation safety checks.
The train relies on highly-precise positioning information and digital maps. Siemens Mobility explained “state-of-the-art sensor systems” spot problems on tracks, to which the train can respond automatically.
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