Alstom, has unveiled its ARTE (Autonomous Regional Train Evolution) project. It is a joint research project of Alstom, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Rail Operations and Infrastructure Department at TU Berlin with funding support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and Lower Saxony’s Ministry of Economics, Transport, Building and Digitalisation.
The Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG) is providing two regional trains for the tests. The project is set to decisively support the digitalisation of the German rail network through implementing automated train operations (ATO) using the European Train Control System (ETCS) without the need for additional trackside equipment. As Alstom is working towards fully leveraging automation, this initiative focuses on existing rail lines, ensuring a seamless transition to modernised operations.
Florian Kittelmann, Alstom Autonomous Mobility Director said
“As we stand on the brink of a new era in rail, the embrace of driverless systems heralds a future where trains operate seamlessly, cities thrive, and communities connect like never before.”
The ARTE project is intended to show how accompanied, automated train operation can be implemented in today’s rail network by retrofitting the vehicles. Automated driving requires camera systems for obstacle detection, and instead of trackside ETCS equipment, a suitable image recognition system processes the existing railway signals.
Thanks to Remote Train Operation (RTO) systems, operators would be able to control trains remotely. And either from the depot or from a dedicated remote driving station, they would then be able to take control of the train and drive it to the next station. In the case of RTO, the ARTE project is providing a very simple solution – a tablet which is linked in with the train control.
So, operators would always see the live transmission of the camera in front of the train, providing the remote driver with the same kind of visibility the actual driver would have. They can break the train, and they can accelerate the train, remotely.
Driverless trains are becoming increasingly viable thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence, sensor technology, and connectivity. These innovations present a chance to reshape the safety sustainability, and operational efficiency of public transit. They can also support economic growth.
Photo credit: Alstom
