Czech Republic: At the beginning of April, a two-car vehicle with passengers on board was tested on the 5G line between Kopidlno and Dolní Bousov. Such trips are planned to take place every month until October.
The project is being implemented by AŽD Praha, which specialises in signalling technology, since 2016. The vehicle is a refurbished series 810 rail bus built by Vagonka Studénka in the 1970s. In addition to new exterior and interior, the vehicle received ATO at Grade of Automation 4, however, the legal restrictions require a driver to be present in the cab.
Trial run of the driverless rail bus in Czechia. Source: Vlastimil Weiner/X
AŽD Praha has acquired the line between Kopidlno and Dolní Bousov with open crossings. The 24 km route now has all the signalling equipment necessary for driverless operation.
This is not a single project to develop driverless technologies. CAF has successfully completed automatic operation tests on mainline train in the Netherlands. Alstom is also testing unmanned trains in Germany.
