AŽD's autonomous train has already run 3,000 kilometers with passengers

"During the entire period of operation, we have not recorded any technical malfunctions related to the software or control. The train stopped only in situations where real obstacles got in its way - for example, a herd of sheep, a hare or a doe that was running parallel to the train and then crossed the tracks. In one case, the train also responded correctly to a car that did not respect the stop signal at the level crossing. This is proof for us that the technology works and can reliably evaluate risky situations. However, we are still fine-tuning the software based on a number of test runs," says AŽD CEO Zdeněk Chrdle.

AŽD developers are currently testing new generation systems. For example, the ADEROS technology – Automatic Detection of Risk Situations – was put into trail operation, which uses an intelligent camera to evaluate the behaviour of cars and pedestrians at level crossings and transmits information to the train whether there is any obstacle at the level crossing. At the moment, tests of autonomous vehicle sensors are starting in Switzerland near the Gotthard Tunnel, where the influence of difficult climatic conditions on their functionality will be verified. Next year, a lidar with a wider viewing angle will be tested, which will significantly expand the ability to perceive the surroundings, especially when driving in a curve.

The autonomous driving system will be modified to comply with the latest specifications of the European project R2DATO, and within its framework, AŽD will test the interoperability of individual autonomous driving components together with our partners.

Passengers can also expect new features next year. For the first time, they will be able to see an intelligent train-stop on request in real operation, where information about the passenger's boarding is transferred to the vehicle, and a STOP button will also be installed in the coaches, by pressing which the passenger will request that the EDITA vehicle stops safely at the next stop.

"The project shows that the Czech railway industry can keep up with European trends, and can even set them. EDITA has so far been running at a maximum speed of 60 km/h, but it is technically ready for speeds of up to 80 km/h. We also plan to introduce remote control of the train, so that the driver will be able to drive the autonomous train manually from the Dětenice Competence Centre or also directly from the AŽD headquarters," adds Zdeněk Chrdle.

The unique project also attracted international attention. Representatives of Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (ERJU), members of European research projects aimed at developing technologies for automatic train control, employees of Austrian and Polish railways, student for researchers at the Technical University of Dresden, and journalists from the world agency AFP or the German public television Deutsche Welle came to Dětenice and the Kopidlno - Dolní Bousov line to take a look.

"The goal of AŽD is quite clear. By 2030, we wish to transform our second line, the „Plum Railway“ (Čížkovice – Obrnice), into the first fully autonomous regional railway line in Europe with daily operation in open countryside,"
concludes Zdeněk Chrdle.