Automatic Train Operation has been commonly used on railways systems for long-time, but the technology is now beginning to unlock advantages in more challenging main line environments. Right now, we can see how the industry is preparing to take advantage of the opportunities offered by ATO on rail networks.
When it comes to Automatic Train Operation (ATO), the word ‘Driverless’ is often used and leads to the understanding that there is no attendant or driver in the train, but this is not always true for many GoA (Grade of Automation, explanation in the next chapter) that require the presence of a driver or an on-board staff.
ATO is a system that helps to automate trains, frequently used in metros as it’s easier to ensure security and less used in mainlines that need more development to reach a higher level of automation and can be widely used as much as metros rail networks.
In railway systems, automation means the method by which obligation for operation management of the trains is moved from the driver to the train control system.
There are various degrees of automation (or Grades of Automation, GoA); these are described according to which basic tasks of train control are responsibility of staff, and which are the responsibility of the system itself.
GoA0 Manual driving on sight without any automation: The driver is fully responsible for driving. This is the case without train protection systems; a typical application is trams running in street traffic. Nevertheless, points and single-track lines might need to be protected.
GoA1 Non-automated train operation: This is the case of a train protection system supervising the driver and enforcing safety in the case of driver’s error. Safe closing of the doors and setting the train in motion are tasks of the driver.
GoA2 Semi-automated train operation: This is the case when acceleration and the application of brakes are automated. Other tasks like the safe closing of doors and the supervision of the track are assigned to the driver. Examples are several modern systems which calculate the dynamic speed profile, where the driver can select either manual or automatic driving.
GoA3 Driverless train operation: Here the train is normally driven automatically. There is no driver permanently in the cab who would watch the track continuously. There is a train attendant, who could oversee other tasks, who can act in the case of danger or technical failure. The closing of the doors can be done by the staff or automatically.
Go4 Unattended train operation: In these systems no driver is present on the train. The closing of the doors, detection of objects caught in doors or between the train and the platform and setting the train in motion all must be done automatically and safety. Furthermore, the system must detect dangerous events such as smoke or those situations, it might be necessary to send staff to the train. Fully automatic driving is currently applied on some separated metropolitan lines around the world.
