Why don't trains have auto-pilot?

Question

Why don't trains have auto-pilot?

Answer 1

coz most trains stop frequently auto pilot is not required  and very expensive and 4 that reason not justified. it also could make the driver complasent

Answer 2

Trains in many countries now have speed preselectors and limiters which regulate the speed automatically and apply the brakes if needed. The driver is present in case the manual override is needed and to monitor the progress of the train, as well as initiate and complete the journey, but a lot of the processes that were formerly done manually are now done by computer systems.

A train's route is preset by the signalling system, which regulates both the signals themselves and the points (switches) which need to be set at junctions, passing loops, etc.

A train's progress is regulated by the signalling system in such a way that only one train can occupy a given section of track, and access to that section of track is blocked to another train until the first train has cleared it. The route setting is interlocked in such a way that it is impossible to set conflicting routes (e.g. both lines set to clear converging at a junction, signal set to clear when line ahead of it is blocked, etc.)

On a single line section a train has to wait to be allowed to proceed by being given an additional sign to the signal. This used to be in the form of a 'token' (a piece of metal shaped like a key), a 'staff' (usually made of wood), or a 'tablet' (a metal disc), each of which would have the names of the start and end points of the section inscribed on it, but has now largely been superseded by an 'electronic token'. Practice originated in Britain but has been copied in many parts of the world.

These systems don't go by the name of auto-pilot but have other names like Automatic Train Control, Interlocking, Absolute Block System and so on, but their function is similar to the systems in use on aircraft and in air traffic control centres in that each are basically designed to ensure that their respective transport system is as safe as possible.

Answer 3

The Docklands Light Railway in London does. It doesn't have drivers and is controlled by computers.

Answer 4

In limited appications there are but for the most part there are far too many variables and situations change too frequently.

ON a line with only one dedicated type of trains it is possible. An autopilot is not going to know if someone is on front of a train waving an emergency stop sign.

For over the road or cross country situations there would be a serious safety compromise.

No two trains or locomotives handle alike, a computer is not going to know the difference.

Answer 5

Some do.  The exact answer depends on whether you're asking about subway commuter trains, or inter-city trains.

There are numerous subway lines around the world that are largely operated by computer.  A sensor in the train picks up a rail signal from the track, and determines how fast the train is allowed to go and when it should stop.  There is typically an operator, but his/her job is largely to ensure the safe operation of the train, and deciding when to close the doors.  Then he/she signals the computer to take over the train until the train pulls into the next station.  As has been noted, there are some systems that are totally automated without an operator, but those are still rare.

For inter-city trains, the operator manipulates the speed control and the brakes to some extent, but on flat track the train basically operates itself.  The operator (usually called the engineer) continually scans the track ahead to ensure that everything's okay: there's nobody walking on the track, there are no cars trying to cross, the track hasn't been damaged, etc.  To ensure the engineer stays alert, most trains have a dead-man: if the engineer hasn't done something during the last x*x seconds or x*x minutes, an alarm will go off.  If the engineer still fails to do something (hit the alarm cut-off, adjust the speed, etc.), the train goes into automatic stop.

There have been some experiments with having freight trains operate by remote control, but those, at least in the US, have largely been limited to freight yard where an operator on the ground, with a remote control in his hand, can signal an engine to move forward, stop, etc.

Answer 6

the last time I looked in the sky failed to see a train flying past but after to nights drinking session who knows

Answer 7

Dafydd is correct trains can operate without drivers, so the question should be why don't all or more do so.

one reason is that the DLR does use driverless trains is that the track is designed from day ne to stop people wandering onto it (no level crossings, no children, no objects thrown on t the track.. speeds are lower so if objects do get n the track they will cause less problems).

however there are trains running in Germany without drivers so normal trains could run driverless.

it would need investment in track and infrastructure to to design out problems such as level crossings.

probably the major block in the UK would be the vested interests of the train drivers.. I don't see any reason why say for example the tube trains couldn't be driverless, although I guess the counter argument is that the train drivers have a secondary role in evacuating passengers if the train gets stopped in a tunnel.

it would probably also be to difficult to implement on existing railways.. it would be easy to do this on a new system as happened with the DLR.

it would be difficult to implement on an urban tramway (as in Manchester, Croydon & Sheffield), because the tramway runs on the road as well as dedicated trackway

however to convert a line would require massive investmemt in plant and equipment....

Answer 8

No, trains operated by drivers do not have any form of auto pilot, they do have a system called a "dead man" which means if the driver were to collapse or leave his seat the train would automatically stop.