Impacts of Unattended Train Operations (UTO) on Productivity and Efficiency in Metropolitan Railways
Author(s)
Cohen, JM
Barron, AS
Anderson, RJ
Graham, DJ
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Urban metro subway systems (metros) around the world are choosing increasing levels of automation for new and existing lines: the global length of metro lines capable of unattended train operation (UTO) is predicted to triple in the next 10 years. Despite significant investment in this technology, empirical evidence for the financial and service quality impacts of UTO in metros remains scarce. This study used questionnaires and semistructured interviews with the Community of Metros and Nova Group benchmarking groups to assemble emerging evidence of how automation affected costs, staffing, service capacity, and reliability. The results from an analysis of data from 23 lines suggested that UTO could reduce staff numbers by 30% to 70%, with the amount of wage cost reduction depending on whether staff on UTO lines were paid more. On the basis of the experience of seven metros, the capital costs of lines capable of UTO were higher, but the internal rate of return had been estimated by two metros at 10% to 15%. Automated lines were capable of operating at the highest service frequencies of up to 42 trains per hour, and the limited available data suggested that automated lines were more reliable. The findings indicated that UTO was a means to a more flexible and reliable operating model that could increase metro productivity and efficiency. The study identified important work needed to understand the impacts of UTO and identify where statistical analyses would add value once sufficiently large data sets became available.
Date Issued
2016-07-01
Date Acceptance
2015-03-06
Citation
Transportation Research Record-Series, 2016, 2534 (2), pp.75-83
ISSN
0361-1981
Publisher
National Academy of Sciences
Start Page
75
End Page
83
Journal / Book Title
Transportation Research Record-Series
Volume
2534
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2015 National Academy of Sciences
Sponsor
IC Consultants Ltd
Identifier
http://trid.trb.org/view.aspx?id=1337734
Grant Number
CIVG_P06158
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Engineering, Civil
Transportation
Transportation Science & Technology
Engineering
Logistics & Transportation
0905 Civil Engineering
1205 Urban And Regional Planning
1507 Transportation And Freight Services
Publication Status
Published