By means of today’s information and communication technologies, the operation of metro systems can already be fully automated. An automated driverless operation of main lines does not meet any insuperable barriers and could be an option in very long-term perspective. The main driver for automation is the superior cost-effectiveness of train operation.

Different degrees of automation can be discerned:

1. semi-automation with reduced driver control
2. fully automated control as the sole operating system for driverless vehicles on autonomous, separate tracks
3. fully automated driverless trains sharing a “mixed” infrastructure with driver-operated vehicles
4. fully automated control as the sole operating system

Level 1 and 2 have already been realised, level 3 and 4 are subject to research and development efforts.

Automated train control could have strong implications for energy efficiency, since driving patterns of the involved trains can be optimised with respect to energy consumption. This includes

• coasting and speed optimisation
• in metro systems with frequent stops and high train density, timetables can be designed in such a way that acceleration of one train is synchronised with braking of previous (or other) train in order to ensure a maximum use of brake energy recovery.
• Permanent real-time traffic optimisation in order to minimise train conflicts and “red signals”.
• Traffic fluidity and system capacity can be further improved by moving block systems.

An automated driverless operation is discussed for both freight and passenger operation. Driverless systems in freight operation are addressed in the context of self-propelled freight cars. Therefore the present evaluation focuses on the automated operation of passenger trains.