CAF’s signalling division has completed a project focused on the implementation of Automatic Train Operation (ATO) up to GoA4 level (fully autonomous) in the Netherlands, in collaboration with the railway operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).
“This is an important milestone in the field of railway automation and consolidates the Spanish company as a benchmark in technological innovation at an international level,” the company says.
This project included two key lines of action. The first, ATO Endurance, consisted of carrying out extensive testing of the ATO system at GoA2 level (automated driving with driver in the cab), operating on the entire Dutch railway network independently of the automatic train protection (ATP) system present, whether ETCS (European standard), the national ATB system or a combination of both. The objective was to evaluate improvements in energy efficiency, punctuality and capacity covering more than 40,000 km of travel.
The second line of research has focused on Remote/Autonomous Shunting, i.e. remote and automated operations have been executed in a real depot environment, including the journey between the depot and the first/last station, even with mixed traffic. The tests included remote mode manoeuvres (GoA1 and GoA2; manual and automatic, respectively) and fully autonomous operations (GoA4, driverless).
The success of the programme was demonstrated in a demonstration between De Vork depot and Groningen main station in the Netherlands. During this trial, two remote-controlled (GoA1) journeys with remote-controlled coupling and uncoupling were completed, as well as one journey at GoA4 level. The latter included advanced tasks such as cabin activation, coupling and uncoupling with other trains, driving in compliance with side signalling and detection of obstacles, including track stops, trains and dummies.
Despite adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain and snow at dusk, the perception systems have proven their reliability, ensuring the success of operations.
“These achievements underline CAF’s leadership in the development of railway signalling and automation technologies. Initiatives of this nature are a demonstration of our commitment to the modernisation of railway transport and to a more efficient, safe and sustainable future ,” said Jon Alzate, General Manager of CAF‘s signalling division .
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