ProRail wants to carry out a test with a self-driving train in 2018

ProRail plans to conduct at least a test with a self-driving train in 2018. It concerns a freight train that will run autonomously on the route of the Betuweroute. In time, the organization also wants to test autonomous passenger transport.

ProRail is collaborating with the French train manufacturer Alstom on the trial of automatic train operation, or ATO. In the test, the self-driving train will use the Ertms security system, which stands for European Rail Traffic Management System. For this successor to the current ATB system, or automatic train control, the NS and ProRail are working together with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.

According to ProRail, ATO can provide more capacity on the track because trains can run closer together if they operate autonomously. In addition, savings on consumption would be possible through smoother driving. As with autonomous cars, the train industry uses different levels of autonomy, from level 1, where the driver is slightly relieved, to a level of full autonomy.

ProRail is consulting with the province of Groningen about autonomous passenger transport. This test is aimed at determining what consequences ato could have for the capacity on the provincial train network. It is not known when this test should start.