autoBAHN - autonomously driving trains on open tracks

The goal of the autoBAHN project is to come up with a rail-bound transport system of autonomously driving vehicles. It should harness the existing railway infrastructure which is freely accessible, and typically provides single railtracks for regional branch lines. Information technology (sensors, actuators, computing resources, wireless train control and central control) forms the basis of autonomous driving. An autoBAHN system has to offer adequate obstacle recognition, train control and safety features to fulfill the strict quality requirements for public transport admission.

The envisioned autoBAHN system will push electric mobility on rails. The conversion of ca. 20 typical regional branch lines to autoBAHN systems would presumably save 4 million tons of carbon dioxide in 30 years in Austria alone.

See here a tv report on this project.