DTO
Driverless Train Operation
A level of automated railway operation where trains operate without a driver in the cab, although onboard staff may still be present for passenger service, emergencies or degraded operations.
Detailed explanation
Driverless Train Operation (DTO) generally corresponds to Grade of Automation 3 (GoA3). At this level, normal train-driving functions are automated and a driver is not required in the driving cab.
Functions such as acceleration, speed regulation, braking and station stopping are performed automatically. Automatic Train Protection (ATP) provides safety supervision, while Automatic Train Operation (ATO) performs automated driving functions. Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) may coordinate and regulate train services across the network.
Unlike GoA4 Unattended Train Operation (UTO), GoA3 operation may still require an onboard member of staff. This person is not normally responsible for driving the train but may undertake functions such as passenger assistance, door-related activities, emergency response and management of certain degraded operating conditions.
DTO therefore represents an important distinction between semi-automatic operation, where a driver remains in the cab, and fully unattended operation, where normal service does not require onboard operational staff.
Railway applications
mainline, high_speed, metro, light_rail, freight, depot
Standards and references
IEC 62290 series; IEC 62267