Are London trains automated?

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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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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New trains designed by Siemens and scheduled to be introduced from 2025 will have fully driverless capability. The new Elizabeth Line can be driverless when it operates in London.

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Today, there is a higher degree of automation than ever on heavy, inter-city and high speed train services. However, just as with aircraft, there is still always a driver or engineer on board, with various levels of control, as well as overall management of the train, rather like a ship's captain.

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Why don't we have driverless trains in UK? As I made clear to the Assembly last year, the London Underground system is an extremely complex environment, in particular, the deep tube lines. For reasons of safety, they are not suitable for driverless trains and there are no plans for their introduction.

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Autonomous trains operate on tracks shared with other vehicles and pedestrians. They rely on digital signalling, but they require additional powerful sensors to analyse hazards around them and processors that enable them to adapt and even make decisions. Autonomous trains do not need a driver or attendants on board.

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The driverless Shinkansen tests have so far taken place on the northernmost section of the Joetsu Shinkansen Line, which is not used by commercial traffic. This 5km-long section runs from Niigata station to the stock depot at Higashi-Niigata.

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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 great distances between major cities in the USA favor flying. Planes travel at speeds more than 500 miles an hour while most trains travel at speeds never exceeding 80 miles an hour. At some point upwards of a 600 mile trip, traveling by train starts adding entire days to a person's travel plans.

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While full driverless autonomy is certainly technically possible, and is applied on various routes worldwide, it still accounts for only a tiny percentage of trains running today. New trains are still being designed and built with fully equipped driver cabins.

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While automated trains only comprise a relatively small fraction of the world's total transit systems, the percentage is growing as more urban and regional authorities realize the advantages. Driverless trains reduce the chance of human error while improving rail efficiency and safety.

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Levels of autonomous trains While full driverless autonomy is certainly technically possible, and is applied on various routes worldwide, it still accounts for only a tiny percentage of trains running today. New trains are still being designed and built with fully equipped driver cabins.

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Diesel trains are more versatile as they can work on the almost 60% of lines that aren't electrified and the portion that is. Diesel power can also transport exceptionally heavy loads and so is often used in the freight sector.

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