Autonomous operations with BOStrab applications

Initiatives focussed on autonomous driving in public transport have long been dismissed out of hand, but a change now seems to be afoot. Economically-efficient solutions based on currently used technology are now available for driverless light rail and tram operations.

Widespread implementation has been prevented to date by two obstacles: driverless vehicles are difficult to communicate in the world of public transport and individual companies are hardly able to shoulder the enormous costs of this development on their own. However, the public opinion of driverless vehicles has changed and the development of algorithms for situation recognition has come on in leaps and bounds thanks to increased computational capacity, modern sensors and advances in artificial intelligence.

Transport authority depots are a good starting point for driverless operations, as these areas are closed off, there are no other road users (road traffic, pedestrians etc.), speeds are reduced and the infrastructure is available. In addition, most depots are now automated with modern signalling technology and depot management systems. Such systems can set, monitor and secure routes, as well as allocate parking places on sidings and in
workshops.

Vehicle technology also plays a major role. Sensors and driver assistance systems are also being used in the field of light rail and tram vehicles. They now have to be expanded to include the necessary functions of localisation, signal aspect recognition and communication with the depot management system. The autonomous depot is coming closer. And this concept can also be used for mainline shunting facilities.