Deployment of Autonomous Trains in Rail Transportation: Current Trends and Existing Challenges

Abstract

Automation is expected to effectively address the growing demand for passenger and freight transportation, safety issues, human errors, and increasing congestion. The growth of autonomous vehicles using the state-of-the-art connected vehicle technologies has paved the way for the development of passenger and freight autonomous trains (ATs), also known as driverless trains. ATs are fully automated trains that are centrally controlled using advanced communication and internet technologies, such as highspeed internet (5G) technology, Internet of Things, dedicated short range communications, digital video detection cameras, and artificial intelligence-based methods. The current study focuses on a detailed up-todate review of the existing trends, technologies, advancements, and challenges in the deployment of ATs with a full automation level in rail transportation. The basic AT features along with the key technologies that are instrumental for the AT deployment and operations are discussed in detail. Furthermore, a comprehensive evaluation of the state-of-the-art research efforts is performed as well with a specific emphasis on the issues associated with the AT deployment, user perception and outlook for ATs, innovative concepts and models that could be used for the AT design, and the AT operations at highway-rail grade crossings. Based on the conducted review, this study determines the main advantages and challenges from the AT deployment. The identified challenges have to be collaboratively addressed by the relevant stakeholders, including railroad companies, researchers, and government representatives, to facilitate the AT development and deployment considering the perspectives of future users and without affecting the safety level.INDEX TERMS Autonomous trains, driverless trains, connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles, automation trends, automation challenges.

A Cross-Domain Scientometric Analysis of Situational Awareness of Autonomous Vehicles With Focus on the Maritime Domain

“…The early focus was main on aerial and underwater vehicles, while later on research on road vehicles dominated. This can be observed by inspecting terms like 'UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)' ( 65), 'autonomous/automated driving' (57), 'unmanned aerial systems' ( 18), 'autonomous underwater vehicle' (11), 'conditionally automated driving' (6). From 2014 onwards, issues related to human presence in automated transportation systems has increasingly been explicitly explored, as can be observed through terms such as 'situation awareness' (79), 'human automation interaction' (28), 'human factor' (25), and 'human-machine interface' (12).…”

“…There are already numerous exemplary developments towards vehicles having the capability to achieve their goals autonomously. For instance, several models of driverless cars have been admitted to regular traffic in the U.S. [4], and crewless suburban trains and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) have been operationally deployed as well [5], [6]. There are other more or less market-ready solutions [7].…”

Technical Aspects and Social Science Expertise to Support Safe and Secure Handling of Autonomous Railway Systems

“…Autonomous railway vehicles can be classified based on four Grades of Automation (GoA) [8]. GoA 1 describes controlled manual operations where the driver manually drives the train, opens passenger doors, etc.…”

Factors Influencing and Contributing to Perceived Safety of Passengers during Driverless Shuttle Rides

“…Autonomous shuttles of SAE Level 4 or 5 without the necessary involvement of a driver or steward can challenge perceived safety as: (1) passengers are confronted with a new technology they might be doubtful about; and (2) in usual public transport settings, people are used to having a driver as someone who can be approached for general information or can intervene in case of unexpected or unpleasant events occurring during the ride [31]. Previous research [32,33] already indicates that passengers' perceived safety in driverless shuttles is challenged due to the fact that there is no driver present (a similar finding comes from user acceptance on lack of staff on automated trains [34]). This is critical as perceived safety is an important factor for the acceptance and the frequency and willingness to use AVs: If people feel safe, they would also be willing to use AVs and therefore, perceived safety is discussed as one of the major barriers to AV adoption [23].…”