Automation of the London Underground
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Automation of London Underground rolling stock has been partially implemented since the introduction of automatic train operation on the Hainault to Woodford section of the Central line in 1964. It is currently in use on eight lines.
Historical projects
Partially automated trains using
Current status
Partially-automated trains are used on eight lines: (
London's second rapid-transit system, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), has operated with driverless trains since its opening in 1987.[4]
Boris Johnson promised in 2012 that there would be driverless Tube trains within 10 years. During his campaign to be re-elected as London Mayor, he said "TfL (Transport for London) will rapidly establish a timetable for introducing the first driverless trains to become operational on the London Underground network within a decade". That was cheered by
The then deputy cabinet member for sports, leisure and customer services at Westminster City Council, Richard Holloway, launched a petition in August 2015 demanding the introduction of driverless trains.[6]
Benefits and drawbacks
Possible benefits
- This would remove the possibility of strikes by drivers,[7] which have caused widespread disruption, as well as the possibility of a driver being ill or otherwise unable to work at short notice. It would also save the cost of drivers' salaries and benefits.
- In Paris, automated metros have enabled trains to run every 85 seconds and this increase in services could be replicated on the Tube.[8][9]
- It would enable easier running of the Night Tube, as drivers would not have to work anti-social hours and have to concentrate at times when they might be tired.
- Trains would not have to have a driver's compartment, reducing weight and the cost of building trains[9]
Criticism
- There has been criticism from unions over safety and cost, as well as the accompanying reductions in staffing levels.[10]
- It is more difficult to introduce driverless trains on existing lines (as opposed to new lines such as the DLR) as there are issues with signalling when there are both trains with drivers and without running at the same time.[11]
- Christian Wolmar has written that, as Tube lines were not built with escape routes for passengers, in an emergency the passengers must be led away from the train by staff; he argues that this means there must still be a "train captain" on board, negating some of the benefits of driverless trains.[12]
New Tube for London programme
The New Tube for London programme will include driverless tube trains. However these will initially have a driver on board until old stock has been fully replaced (i.e. Grade of Automation level 2, currently used on ATO-equipped lines). Even then, they will still have "train captains" on board in case of emergency (i.e. Grade of Automation level 3, as used by the DLR), due to driver union opposition of fully automated, unattended trains (i.e. Grade of Automation level 4, as used by some lines of the Paris Métro).
See also
- List of automated urban metro subway systems
- London Underground
- Automatic Train Operation
References
- ^ "Driverless metros poised to expand". Railway Gazette International. 1 March 2000. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
These trials matured into 'attended ATO'. London's Victoria line was the first into revenue service on 1 September 1968, with Philadelphia's Lindenwold line close behind in January 1969.
- ^ Kessell, Clive (8 May 2015). "LU Northern line goes CBTC". RailEngineer.
- ^ "Crossrail starts tender process for signalling system" (Press release). London: Crossrail. 24 October 2012. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "Docklands Light Railway Capacity Upgrade". Railway Technology. n.d.
- ^ "Boris Johnson promises driverless Tube trains within 10 years". BBC News. 26 March 2012.
- ^ "Petition for driverless Tube trains gaining support". ITV News. 24 August 2015.
- ^ "Driverless trains would break the militant unions forever". City AM. London. 23 August 2015.
- ^ Edwards, Tom (11 January 2013). "Could Paris Metro inspire driverless Tube trains?". BBC News.
- ^ a b "The Case for Driverless Trains, By the Numbers". Bloomberg. 13 April 2015.
- ^ Crow, Bob (22 July 2013). "London Underground Driverless Trains". RMT.
- ^ "Driverless Trains: Past, Present and Future". www.hitachirail.com. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "Boris driverless nonsense". Christian Wolmar. 14 January 2011.