JSC "Russian Railways" ("RZD") announces the testing of the first Russian electric train equipped with a self-governing system.
We are talking about a specially modified version of the "Swallow". The car received equipment for train positioning, communication with the dispatch center and detection of obstacles on the way. "Swallow" in unmanned mode can follow the schedule, and when an obstacle is detected on the way, it can automatically slow down.
A test ride on an unmanned electric train was made by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Maxim Akimov and Chairman of the Board of JSC Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov. The tests were carried out on an experimental railway ring in Shcherbinka.
An unmanned electric train can be controlled in two ways: by the driver from the cab or by the operator from the transportation control center.
“Today is a historic day for Russian railways - we have come close to unmanned technology. We use only Russian systems here. Moreover, I can say that we are one year ahead of our foreign colleagues. Russian Railways is committed to the introduction of unmanned driving technology, primarily because it will provide an increased level of safety and reliability of transportation, especially for passengers,” said Mr. Belozyorov.
In the coming year, it is planned to conduct a series of tests of an unmanned train to develop the technology of movement in automatic mode under the control of drivers, however, test trips with passengers are not expected at this stage.
Source: 3dnews.ru