Rail automation news
News about railway and urban transport automation projects and technology.
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In depthItaly: RFI deploys AI, drones and robots as part of monitoring suite expansion
Italian infrastructure manager RFI is expanding its ability to inspect and intervene on its network through autonomous and data-driven technology. Toma Bačić reports.
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In depthHong Kong: MTR completes East Rail Line’s complex retrofit
The retrofitting of Automatic Platform Gates to Hong Kong’s oldest railway without any disruption to passengers marked a major milestone in MTR’s network modernisation programme.
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NewsHelsinki metro CBTC and 5G communications contracts awarded as automation ambitions revived
FINLAND: Contracts have been awarded for the replacement of the Helsinki metro’s signalling and communications systems as part of a programme to increase the level of automation, improve reliability and shorten headways to support expected growth in ridership.
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In depthAsset Maintenance: Cracking the nut of rising costs
An international benchmarking exercise by management consultancy Arthur D Little has found that railways across Europe are facing a maintenance cost crunch, with strong leadership needed to address the problem.
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NewsConsortium selected to supply driverless suburban trains for København
DENMARK: DSB has selected a consortium of Siemens Mobility and Stadler to supply and maintain a fleet of electric multiple-units for the conversion of København’s S-bane suburban rail network to unattended automatic operation.
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In depthIndia: Start-up develops advanced simulation tool to augment safety
Indian start-up SimDaaS Autonomy is using advanced simulation tools to develop hazard perception and scenario planning that could further improve safety on the country’s railways. Founder Dr Bharat Lohani explains its technology to Bharti Jain.
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NewsAccessible rack railcars with provision for automation to modernise Swiss line
SWITZERLAND: Appenzeller Bahnen has awarded Stadler a SFr17·5m contract to supply two rack railcars to replace the life-expired fleet on the 7 km Rorschach – Heiden line from the end of 2028.
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In depthData: AI can help railways ‘do boring better’
4AI Systems founder Derel Wust explains to Nick Kingsley how AI holds the key to determining train location, offering potential for a data-led approach to minimising the risk of overspeed and signal passed at danger incidents.
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In depthJapan: Part-privatised Tokyo Metro looks to grow internationally
Having been selected to help operate London’s Elizabeth Line, the part-privatised Tokyo Metro is looking to win more contracts to operate and maintain urban railways, with particular focus on the European and Oceanian markets, as Naoshi Sakai explains to Benjámin Zelki.
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In depthAutomation: Futurail sees autonomous trains within six years
Co-founders Alex Haag and Maximilian Schöffer tell Andrew Grantham how Franco-German start-up Futurail is aiming to bring automation technology from the road sector to rail, where they see a great opportunity to build a Europe-based global champion.
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In depthTelecoms: South Korea to explore potential of 6G technology in rail
Amid a push from the national government to launch a 6G telecoms network by 2028, Korea Railroad Research Institute is assessing how domestic railway operators could deploy the technology. Benjámin Zelki reports.
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NewsPJM diagnostic equipment fitted to Plasser & Theurer machine
AUSTRIA: Plasser & Theurer has completed a prototype fitment of PJM’s vehicle status diagnostic tools on a ballast management train.
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NewsRadar positioning system provides precise stopping without CBTC
SPAIN: Masats has tested of a radar positioning system which enables the highly accurate stopping of trains without relying on CBTC.
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In depthJapan: Autonomous Operation offers flexibility with fewer staff
Trials on the RTRI test track near Tokyo have verified the performance of onboard detection and decision-making systems that could form the basis for autonomous train operations.
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In depthComment: Demography is destiny
The demographic challenges facing many countries around the world mean that rail’s ability to cost-effectively deliver benefits in low-density regions such as rural Japan or much of France is in the spotlight, our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley warns.
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In depthFreight: Rolling laboratory supports innovation
Portugal’s Rail CoLab association is developing its Freight Laboratory Train to act as a platform for both monitoring systems and the testing of new concepts, as Andre Pires explains.
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NewsTram tunnel firefighting robot unveiled
GERMANY: Austrian company Rosenbauer and Augsburg fire service have unveiled a prototype firefighting robot for use in the tram tunnel now being completed under the city’s main railway station.
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In depthResearch: AŽD Praha's autonomous train is on track
Following successful passenger carrying trials with its prototype autonomous train on the Kopidlnka line, AŽD Praha is looking to optimise the technology for commercial operations to start in 2029. Chris Jackson reports from Dětenice.
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NewsEcoTrain launched to target very light rail opportunities in France and Belgium
FRANCE: Dynamic testing of a lightweight trainset for secondary lines is underway follwing the unveiling of the EcoTrain.
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In depthAustralia: Melbourne’s Suburban Loop reaches lift-off
Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop is ultimately expected to add 90 km of 1 435 mm gauge automated rail service to the city’s rail mix, but project promoter SRLA is currently focusing on delivering the first 26 km section. Benjámin Zelki reports.
