Assisted and driverless train operation

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At a glance Growing urbanization accelerates the demand for more mobility – and reinforces an unstoppable trend: the shift of transport from road to rail. But it faces a coming shortage of competent drivers. The key to counteract is assisted driving and driverless trains and trams. Driverless train operation for metro systems is already state-of-the-art. Examples include the automation of subway line 1 in Paris, the subway in Nuremberg, as well as many other new metro lines in the world. But mainline and tram operators plan to increase the capacity, flexibility, and energy efficiency of rail operations using higher levels of automation. It starts with assistance systems that continuously support drivers in their tasks. And continues with a key building block for future train automation – automatic obstacle detection based on a rail perception system. Our Rail Perception System combines sensors and data analytics technologies on vehicles to automatically perceive the surrounding and to trigger actions. Automatic obstacle detection based on the Rail Perception System can assist your drivers in avoiding collisions on the track. Combined with train control and rail infrastructure it enables assisted and driverless train operation (GoA Level 3 and 4).

Lower repair costs and higher availability of your trains by avoiding or reducing damage from accidents

Increased punctuality and flexibility by driverless train operation

Improved safety and throughput

More comfort for your passengers by smooth acceleration and braking

How a rail perception system works

Thanks to automatic perception of the train´s surroundings, driving, warning and braking actions are triggered, to enable assisted or driverless train operation.

Key benefits Assisted and unattended driving becomes reality – with a new kind of view. The fusion of three perspectives leads to a profound 3D image of the surrounding.

Lidar

3D measurement and positioning of objects
Allows the train to see around its surroundings

Radar

Measures distance and speed with high accuracy
Long sensing range ahead of the train

Cameras

Trained for intelligent object recognition
Wide optical coverage around the train

Rail perception in practice Siemens’ automatic obstacle detection based on the Rail Perception System enables you as a train or tram operator to realize different use cases:

Driver assistance: (automatic) train operation with collision avoidance support
Driverless depot operation
Driverless vehicle stabling and provision
Driverless operation on specific sections and on entire lines

Proof points Tomorrow's mobility – in use today. Discover where our Rail Perception System is already proving its capabilities.

Teaching trams to drive – our research prototype on the rails

Pedestrians, crossing vehicles, right of way: trams have to react quickly and correctly to many challenges.
Smart technologies can help anticipate such situations and handle them safely – as successfully demonstrated during real-life prototype testing in Potsdam.

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Joint research on "Autonomous Tram in Depot"

In the development of autonomous trams, we have set the next milestone. With partners, we are planning the joint research of a fully automated tram depot in Potsdam.
The goal is to develop a digital depot based on an autonomously driving tram.
The project is funded by the Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur (BMVI).

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Driverless and unattended driving for mainline

Assisted train operation for mainline

In cooperation with Deutsche Bahn, we are investigating how sensors can be optimally integrated into the train or how they function as a driver assistance system for collision avoidance in different weather conditions.

Learn about Digital Train Operations

Digital Train Operations from Siemens Mobility use secure and seamless IT solutions to create more value for passengers, operators and maintainers.

Overview

Train IT

Take the lead over the competition – with powerful, future-oriented IT systems for your trains. With this fully integrated solution, you control your vehicles from one central point – and get full access to all train data in one place.

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Would you like to get more in-depth information about this topic? Our specialists will give you detailed answers to all your questions about our Rail Perception System for automatic obstacle detection.