Are bullet trains automated?

Tokyo, Japan (Urban Transport News): The East Japan Railway (JR East) is all set to introduce largely automated 'driverless' bullet trains in the mid-2030s under plans announced on 9th May 2023, a labor-saving measure that would be a first for the company.



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The Shinkansen employs an ATC (Automatic Train Control) system, eliminating the need for trackside signals. It uses a comprehensive system of Automatic Train Protection.

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So Shinkansen trains have a different kind of speed control system, known as ATC. With this system, speed information is transmitted along the track and is received by a signal attached to the driver's seat. The ATC automatically keeps the train running within the designated speed limit.

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The train used for the movie, the “Nippon Speed line” is fictional, although it bears some similarities to the real Shinkansen on the line between Tokyo and Kyoto.

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There's no rail friction to speak of, meaning these trains can hit speeds of hundreds of miles per hour. Yet high speed is just one major benefit of maglev trains. Because the trains rarely (if ever) touch the track, there's far less noise and vibration than typical, earth-shaking trains.

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A large part of route alignment is kept straight to support high speed. Although in most countries these trains operate on dedicated tracks, many can also run on conventional tracks at reduced speeds.

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Automation of London Underground rolling stock has been partially implemented since the introduction of automatic train operation on the Hainault to Woodford section of the Central line in 1964. It is currently in use on six lines. Transport for London plans to extend this to remaining lines by 2023.

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Driverless trains have been in operation on the Docklands Light Railway since it opened in 1987, though a train attendant is present to operate the doors and drive the train if needed.

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The Superconducting Maglev is equipped with a braking system capable of safely stopping a train traveling at 311mph. Regenerative braking is normally used for deceleration, but if it becomes unavailable, the Superconducting maglev also has wheel disc brakes and aerodynamic brakes.

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Maglev trains work on the principle of magnetic repulsion between the cars and the track. The word maglev is actually a combination of the words “magnetic” and “levitation.” The magnetic levitation, or floating of the train, is achieved through the use of an electrodynamic suspension system, or EDS.

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A halted train isn't immune to derailments, however. To guard against derailments, JR East has installed L-shaped metal parts on its train cars as a countermeasure. The parts are designed to hook the cars on the rails, thus preventing them from colliding with side walls.

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But the Shinkansen is completely silent and smooth. No track noise. No clackety-clack. No thunks or sways or bumps.

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High Speed Rail is the world's safest form of transportation proven by decades of operations all around the world. Japan was the first nation to build high speed rail in 1964, and has since transported 10 billion passengers without a single injury or fatality!

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All London Underground trains are currently either operated manually (when a train driver controls starting and stopping, the operation of doors and handling of emergencies) or in semi-automatic mode (when starting and stopping is automated, but a driver operates the doors and drives the train if needed).

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