GOA2.5 Automatic Train Operation Track Record and Implementation Overhead Reduction Strategy

Because of the declining birthrate, aging population, and the shrinking workforce, train operation costs must be reduced to maintain the railway network. One solution is the introduction of an automatic train operation (ATO) system. In previous work, we achieved the first automatic operation on an automatic train stop (ATS) line based on an ATS-DK with an intermittent ATP and continuous speed check function, and we implemented the first GOA2.5 system in which an attendant other than the driver operates the emergency stop at the front of the train. Although this system reduces costs by retrofitting existing equipment, further reductions in implementation costs were required because the expected reduction in the investment-to-cost ratio was not achieved because of high training costs. This paper discusses the progress after the introduction of the system, the development of an on-board database and support device equipped with ATO, and the reduction of the overhead caused by implementation through technical feedback.