Are trains self-driving?

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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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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Starting and stopping are automated, but a train attendant operates the doors and drives the train in case of emergencies. In this system, trains run automatically from station to station but a staff member is always in the train, with responsibility for handling of emergency situations.

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The world's first automated, driverless train has been unveiled in Germany's Hamburg.

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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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A train driver, engine driver, engineman or locomotive driver, commonly known as an engineer or railroad engineer in the United States and Canada, and also as a locomotive handler, locomotive engineer, locomotive operator, train operator, or motorman, is a person who operates a train, railcar, or other rail transport ...

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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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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 position of the train driver differs from that of the conductor in that the former is in charge of running the locomotive while the latter manages the cars, including the crew, passengers and their activities.

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Automatic train stop or ATS is a system on a train that automatically stops a train if certain situations occur (unresponsive train operator, earthquake, disconnected rail, train running over a stop signal, etc.) to prevent accidents.

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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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Japan: L0 Series Maglev (374 mph) Although not yet in regular service, this Japanese train, which is currently being developed and tested by the Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), holds the land speed record for rail vehicles, clocking in at 374 mph.

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Deutsche Bahn and Siemens have developed the world's first train that runs by itself, the two groups said in a statement. The technology does not require a specific track as the autonomous train runs on the same network as those operated by drivers.

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Cons of Self-Driving Cars
  • Security issues. One of the potential cons about self-driving cars is the possibility of hacking. ...
  • Job losses. Those who depend on driving to make a living may find their career obsolete with the introduction of self-driving cars. ...
  • Initial costs. ...
  • Moral Machine dilemma. ...
  • Machine error.


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The Railroad Journal gives the following as an answer:— It is very well known that the car nearest the engine is exposed to the least dust, and that the rear car of a train is generally safer than the front car.

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As of Nov 6, 2023, the average hourly pay for a Train Driver in the United States is $17.76 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $28.61 and as low as $8.65, the majority of Train Driver wages currently range between $14.18 (25th percentile) to $19.23 (75th percentile) across the United States.

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The average train driver salary in London is £58,795, with experienced professionals in the region having salaries that often exceed £69,000, while train driver salaries in Scotland start at £38,194 for newly qualified drivers, rising to £48,360 after the probation period has ended.

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