REGISTER

D.E. Carden

New Railway Projects Division

Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation
Hong Kong, China

Today the majority of trains are still driven and controlled by human beings. The advent of train control systems based on continuous track to train and train to track communications, together with automatic train operation and automatic train protection is however changing this situation. Train control systems have taken the level of operating safety to a level previously unknown. These systems when optimised to their ultimate extent, support the concept of Manless operation.

This paper reviews the trends in the application of Manless systems worldwide, and takes a holistic view of the concept and in particular where and what in the future will be the role of human beings and computers, to maintain the highest level of safety, in managing and controlling trains, and the commercial viability of building and operating a Manless system. The paper also discusses the various support systems employed in conjunction with the implementation of Manless systems, to maintain a smooth and safe operating environment, as a direct result of the removal of the driver.

It explores the advantages and disadvantages of the introduction of Manless operation, and also the perceived problems in accepting Manless trains, by the public at large, and how these problems are in fact unfounded, and how best to dispel the problems.

In conclusion Manless operation is now a reality for heavy metro systems. It affords the operator with the opportunity to provide a safe reliable regulated service for its passengers, whilst at the same time allows the rail operator to reap the benefit of reduced life cycle costs, and a more efficient, effective operation.