On September 10, JR East announced plans to introduce automated Shinkansen operation.
The company aims to achieve semi-automatic operation (GOA2) with a driver and conductor on the Joetsu Shinkansen’s commercial trains and trains in transit between Nagaoka Station and Niigata Shinkansen Rolling Stock Center (60.8 km) in FY2028, and automatic operation (GOA4) without an attendant between Niigata Station and Niigata Shinkansen Rolling Stock Center (5.1 km) in FY2029. Construction of ground facilities and vehicle modifications will be initiated.
In addition, the company plans to introduce semi-automatic operation of commercial and outbound trains between Tokyo and Nagaoka Stations in the mid-2030s, followed by automatic operation of commercial trains with attendants between Tokyo and Niigata Stations (GOA3) and unattended automatic operation of outbound trains (GOA4).
In preparation for this, we are currently developing equipment to automatically operate trains according to the schedule in order to systemize the work that crew members are responsible for, and we are conducting running tests on the E956 Shinkansen train starting in FY2019.
In addition, a function that automatically detects abnormalities in the bogie and automatically performs an emergency stop on behalf of the crew is also being researched and developed, with the aim of starting its use in time for the introduction of driverless operation in FY2029.
In the future, the company will consider introducing automatic operation on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and Tohoku Shinkansen as well. The introduction of automatic operation is expected to improve safety and transportation stability, and save energy through more efficient operation.
© Source travel watch
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