Automatic train operation (ATO) ensures partial or complete automatic train piloting and driverless functions.
Since the opening of the London Underground Victoria Line in 1967, new metros and urban railways have become more automated. Many lines now operate with driverless trains, with the aim of reducing the operational costs and improving the frequency of service.
Many modern systems are linked with Automatic Train Control (ATC) where normal signaller operations such as route setting and train regulation are carried out by the system. The ATO and ATC systems will work together to maintain a train within a defined tolerance of its timetable. The combined system will marginally adjust operating parameters such as the ratio of power to coast when moving and station dwell time, in order to bring a train back to the timetable slot defined for it.
List of driverless trains
Many railways are planning on using ATO in the future. It has been partially implemented on the Delhi Metro with plans of full ATO operations by the year 2013. ATO will be introduced on the London Underground’s Northern line in 2012. Although ATO may also be used on the future Crossrail and Thameslink trains, it has not yet been implemented on any UK mainline railways.
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