In a significant step towards the future of rail transport, the Czech Republic has started trials of autonomous rail buses on the railway line between Kopidlno and Dolní Bousov. This innovative initiative demonstrates the potential of automation in rail transport.
Successful Autonomous Test Drive with Passengers
Earlier this month, a two-carriage driverless rail bus successfully completed a test run with passengers on the 5-kilometer Kopidlno–Dolní Bousov route, equipped with extensive 24G communications infrastructure. These test runs are planned to continue monthly until October.
Years of Development Work by AŽD Praha
Czech company AŽD Praha, specialising in railway signalling and automation systems, has been meticulously carrying out this groundbreaking project since 2016. The company has comprehensively modernised a classic 1970-series railbus, manufactured by Vagonka Studénka in the 810s, renewing both its interior and exterior. Alongside this modernisation, a state-of-the-art automated driving system with a GoA4 rating, considered the highest level of railway automation, has been integrated. Despite the system’s fully autonomous capabilities, due to current legal regulations, a driver is present in the cab for safety reasons.
Infrastructure Reinforcement for Autonomous Operation
As a critical step towards fully autonomous operation, AŽD Praha acquired the Kopidlno–Dolní Bousov line, including level crossings on the route. The company equipped the entire line with the advanced signaling infrastructure required to support autonomous operation. This investment aims to increase the future potential and viability of the project.
Rising Autonomous Railway Trend in Europe
This pioneering project in the Czech Republic comes at a time when interest in and innovation in autonomous systems in rail transport is growing across Europe. CAF’s successful completion of driverless train trials on mainline railways in the Netherlands and Alstom’s similar autonomous train tests in Germany are concrete examples of investments in unmanned transport technologies by major players in the sector.
A New Era for the Czech Railway Industry
This pilot represents a significant milestone for the Czech railway sector. It not only demonstrates the potential for integrating a high level of automation into regional railway systems, but also highlights the vital importance of digital infrastructure, such as 5G connectivity, in the implementation of next-generation public transport solutions. If successful, the project could pave the way for the widespread use of autonomous rail buses in other regions of the Czech Republic and perhaps internationally, bringing significant improvements in public transport efficiency, safety and passenger comfort.
