Rail automation news – Page 2
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Metro Report InternationalSwiss light rail line prepared for automatic operation
SWITZERLAND: Automatic operation on the Waldenburgerbahn is scheduled to begin in September, with conversion to fully driverless operation envisaged for 2030.
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Metro Report InternationalAlstom wins contract to renew pioneering automated metro line
FRANCE: As part of an ongoing renewal of the city’s metro network, Lyon’s Line D is to be resignalled and re-equipped under a €300m agreement announced by Alstom.
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Metro Report InternationalAmsterdam plans tram fleet replacement and autonomous operation pilot scheme
NETHERLANDS: Amsterdam transport operator GVB has begun the procurement of up to 78 trams to replace vehicles which will reach the end of their service lives within the next few years.
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NewsLocomotive equipped to test autonomous freight train operation
GERMANY: A DB Cargo electric locomotive has been equipped with automatic and remote train operation technology.
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NewsTraffic management challenge further delays Paris Line E extension
FRANCE: SNCF Réseau and Alstom have agreed to pause work to equip the western end of Paris RER Line E with the ATS+ traffic management tool, further delaying through services onto the corridor westwards to Mantes-la-Jolie.
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Rail Business UKTrainline launches AI assistant
UK: Third-party ticket retailer Trainline has rolled out an AI-based assistance tool in its app.
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NewsRail welding robot makes ’tangible progress’
NETHERLANDS: Robel Rail Automation, infrastructure manager ProRail and contractors VolkerRail and Strukton Rail are to further develop an automated rail welding robot.
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NewsRobot positions container wagon pins
GERMANY: The use of an autonomous mobile robot to automate the repositioning of folding pins on container wagons has been successfully tested by Hamburger Hafen & Logistik and the Fraunhofer Centre for Maritime Logistics & Services.
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Metro Report InternationalMultimodality: Carrying parcels on tram tracks
Using autonomous pods to transport parcel shipments and other goods on existing tram infrastructure could help to mitigate the traffic jams caused by growing volumes of delivery vehicles, suggests Fragile CEO Lukas Kauer.
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NewsHamburg S-Bahn ATO retrofitting contract awarded
GERMANY: S-Bahn Hamburg has awarded Alstom a contract to complete the fitting of its Class 490 electric multiple-unit fleet with ETCS and equipment for GoA2 semi-automatic train operation with a driver onboard. The €60m contract announced on April 10 covers the retrofitting of 82 three-car EMUs ...
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In depthAutomation: Journey to a driverless future
April is due to see the start of commercial passenger services with an autonomous train in the Czech Republic, as AŽD Praha launches demonstration GoA3 operations on its Dolní Bousov – Kopidlno test line.
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Metro Report InternationalBuenos Aires confirms plan to build long-planned Line F
ARGENTINA: Tenders for construction of the 5 km initial phase of the driverless metro Line F in Buenos Aires are to be called in June. The 5 km first section is to serve six stations, linking Brandsen in the south with Tucumán in the centre, where interchange would be provided to lines B and D. The estimated cost of this section is US$1·1bn, which includes the procurement of 14 trainsets.
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Metro Report InternationalPorto orders CRRC trams equipped for automatic operation
PORTUGAL: Metro do Porto has awarded CRRC Tangshan a contract to supply trams equipped for GoA2 attended automatic operation on the future Line H (Ruby).
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NewsMagRail technology company targets Indian rail market
INDIA: Rolling stock and rail infrastructure supplier Texmaco Rail & Engineering and European maglev and automation technology company Nevomo have signed a memorandum of understanding. The MoU covers collaboration on development and marketing of magnetic linear propulsion, autonomous freight and predictive track maintenance technologies in the ...
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NewsDB appoints private 5G network supplier
GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn has awarded Smart Mobile Labs a framework contract for the planning, deployment and operation of secure private 5G networks. On February 21 SML, which was recently acquired by Boldyn Networks, said the contract is valued ‘almost in the double-digit million-euro range’. SML will be ...
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Metro Report InternationalTram collects real-world data for driver assistance development
NORWAY: A CAF tram operating in regular service is Oslo has been fitted with sensors and cameras to collect data. This will be used to develop driver assistance technology as part of the EU-backed R2DATO research project. The first round of data collection is planned to ...
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NewsRefurbished Stuttgart S-Bahn trains ready to return to service
GERMANY: The first three Stuttgart S-Bahn electric multiple-units to be refurbished have been unveiled by operator DB Regio and transport authority VRS ahead of their return to passenger service in February. The €200m programme to refurbish 215 Class 423 and 430 EMUs is being undertaken at ...
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Metro Report InternationalResignalling programme to create Madrid’s first driverless metro line
SPAIN: Metro de Madrid has awarded Alstom a contract to upgrade the signalling on Line 6 to make it the city’s first driverless metro line. The 23·5 km circular line with 28 stations is the busiest on the network. Automation is expected to enable an increase ...
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Rail Business UKHigh Speed 2 ATO over ETCS train control contracts awarded
UK: Project promoter HS2 Ltd has let contracts for the supply of signalling and train control systems for the high speed line between London and the West Midlands.
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In depthComment: A glimpse over the horizon
As celebrations in Britain this year mark 200 years since the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, our Consultant Editor Murray Hughes reflects on his 50 years writing for Railway Gazette International and assesses where the rail sector might go in the coming half-century.