With the UK’s train strikes still showing no signs of coming to an end (2023), automated trains – and their possibility for introduction within the UK rail network – have been the subject of lots of discussions.
One of the most common questions we’re hearing is, ‘why are there not more driverless trains in the UK?’.
Although it might seem like the ideal quick fix solution, in reality, introducing more automated trains comes with numerous pros and cons, which need to be weighed up.
To explore this topic further, we’ve outlined what is needed for more automated trains to be introduced to the UK, and how this could work within the UK train network.
What is a driverless train?
An automated train is a specialist type of train, which operates without a human driver.
Instead of being controlled manually by a driver (which is how most trains operate) the train is managed through an advanced computer system, along with a number of sensors.
Working in combination, the system and sensors are able to control and adjust the train’s movement and speed, the door operations, the train’s safety systems, and stop or start it.
This system can also help to optimise traffic on the railway network, adjusting train movements in a way that minimises congestion and delays, thereby significantly increasing the rail network’s efficiency.
Examples of the world’s automated trains
Already, cities across the world have invested in state of the art automated train networks.
Some of the world’s most renowned and most successful automated trains include:
The Paris Métro Line 14
Paris’ fully automated, driverless metro line first began operations 25 years ago, in 1998.
This line has been heavily invested in, with it being extended three times in just four years. The Métro Line 14 is hugely popular amongst the city’s residents and visitors, and will (by 2024, after the latest extensions) be able to carry 1 million passengers a day.
Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system
Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system consists of a number of automated train lines. These include the Downtown Line, Thomson-East Coast Line and the Circle Line.
This extensive automated network has significantly improved the efficiency of Singapore’s public transport, with the lines spanning over 148 km, 106 stations, and around 3 million users every single day.
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London
The DLR is an automated railway system, which forms part of London’s extensive tube network. The DLR connects the South East areas of London, including the areas of Greenwich, Stratford, Lewisham and Canary Wharf, extending inwards to the City of London.
The DLR has been operating for almost 40 years, having first began its operations in 1987. TFL also recently announced a major investment into upgrading the DLR, with plans to introduce a whole fleet of new driverless trains by 2026.
What infrastructure is needed for an automated train?
Although automated trains have been successfully introduced in locations across the world, this process of implementation requires significant investments, and the introduction of new, significantly more sophisticated infrastructure and technologies.
In order to implement a new automated train system, the additional infrastructure and technological requirements will include:
- A communications network
- Signalling systems – such as Automatic Train Control (ATC) or Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC)
- Trackside components – such as transponders, beacons and RFID tags
- A centralised Train Control Centre
- Onboard equipment – such as onboard train computers, sensors and control units, which communicate key information directly to the Train Control Centre
- Safety systems – such as obstacle detection systems and emergency braking systems
- A reliable power supply infrastructure
- Upgrades to train stations – such as synchronised, automated platform screen doors
- Dedicated maintenance facilities
- Redundancy and backup systems
What are the positives and negatives of having driverless trains in the UK?
Although creating an automated train system represents some pretty sizable costs, the benefits of this solution are extremely impactful.
The positives of having automated trains in the UK include:
- Improving safety standards
- Removing the risk of human error
- Improving efficiency
- Increasing railway capacity
- Reducing delays and minimised congestion
- Ensuring optimal performance for high-density urban areas
- Ensuring a consistent and reliable service
- Reducing labour costs
- Helping to reduce energy consumption (and so, reduce operational costs)
- Ensuring peak hours run more smoothly
- Enabling faster journey times
However, it is important to weigh these positives against the drawbacks of the solution.
So, the negatives of having driverless trains in the UK include:
- Requiring a significant initial investment
- Requiring a commitment to ongoing maintenance costs
- Reducing flexibility
- Job losses, particularly for train drivers
- Increasing your dependence on technology
- Exposing your system to cyber attacks or breaches
- Potentially losing some customers, if some passengers don’t feel comfortable with the idea
But, as long as there is sufficient capital for the initial investment and future potential repairs, and with the right change management and security practices in place, introducing automated trains could bring fantastic benefits to the UK’s cities, and the UK rail network as a whole.
If you have any further questions about train technologies, or how you can improve the efficiency of your railway site or railway project, the Triptex team is on hand to help.