Railway Corporation Conducts 'Automatic Train Operation' Performance Test at Osong

The Korea Rail Network Authority announced on the 28th that it conducted a performance test of the train automatic operation technology included in the next-generation Korean Train Control System (hereinafter KTCS-3) at the Osong Comprehensive Railway Test Track.

KTCS-3 is a technology that controls trains without using track circuits and is being developed as a national research and development project.

On the 28th, a test ride event for the next-generation train control system's automatic train operation was held at the Osong Integrated Railroad Test Track. The train control system is being developed as a national research and development project. Provided by Korea Rail Network Authority.

Train automatic operation is a technology that allows trains to automatically operate traction and braking devices without the intervention of a driver. This technology is classified into automation levels 1 to 4, and the performance test was conducted on the currently developed automation level 2.

Automation level 2 enables the train to depart with a single click on the driver's control screen and to repeatedly accelerate and decelerate at optimal speeds according to track conditions such as maximum speed and temporary speed restriction zones.

Upon arrival at the destination, the train automatically stops, marking the end of automation level 2 operation.

The Rail Network Authority expects that this will prevent human errors such as non-stop incidents and achieve economic benefits such as a 12% energy saving compared to manual operation through optimal automatic acceleration and deceleration.

Following the performance test on this day, the Rail Network Authority plans to conduct test runs to verify the precision of automatic stopping by the end of this year, followed by pilot projects and additional plans for commercialization.

Lee Seong-hae, Chairman of the Rail Network Authority, said, “Introducing train automatic operation to the national railway network will be a turning point from manpower-based train operation to unmanned automation,” and added, “Once automatic operation is introduced on site, it will enhance railway safety and convenience while being recognized as a representative technology of K-Rail in the global market.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.