TUBE SHOULD BECOME DRIVERLESS FOR THE OLYMPICS - FEATHERSTONE

9.15.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 16th Sep 2004

In a keynote speech delivered later today to the Institute of Civil Engineers, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson and Chair of the Transport Committee, Lynne Featherstone, today put forward radical new proposals to make the Tube driverless before the Olympics in 2012.

Speaking in Westminster, Ms Featherstone highlighted that making the London Underground driverless would reduce operating costs, result in shorter waiting times for passengers and provide better information and safety both on trains and stations.

Ms Featherstone also pointed to the success of the DLR and the operation of automated service across the globe, including Copenhagen and the forthcoming introduction of driverless trains in New York. In her speech, she will call for Transport for London and the Mayor to examine the introduction of Communications Based Train Control system (CBTC) that is being introduced on the in New York 'L' Line as a possible model for the Tube.

Ms Featherstone said:-

"Despite London's Tube being the oldest in the world, the Mayor and Transport for London must look at new, creative and innovative solutions to the age old problem of overcrowded and over congested trains.

"Solutions to the problems are not isolated to London, so we must learn the lessons of other rail systems across the globe to make our Tube a better place to be. The driverless Docklands Light Railway is a twenty first century example of how commuting the capital can be a pleasure and not a chore. The DLR won "Best London Suburban Operator" at the National Rail Awards recently with their performance described as "near perfect".

"It is time for the Mayor and Transport for London to examine the introduction and feasibility of the Communications Based Train Control system that is being introduced on the in New York 'L' Line as a possible model for the Tube. If it can be done, then it should be done in time for the 2012 Olympics."

ENDS

Notes to editor

Ms Featherstone will be speaking to the Institution of Civil Engineers from 18.00 to 18.45 on Thursday 16 September at 1, Great George Street, Westminster. A copy of the full speech is available on request.

• The New York MTA has been working with Siemens to create an automatic train control system for the L line. The system went into wide-scale testing this summer, then should go into full operation in the autumn. If things go well, this "CBTC" system (Communications Based Train Control) will be expanded to other lines on the Subway.

• Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) is a train control technology that controls train position and speed of trains using continuous two-way communications between vehicles and wayside controllers. The communications channel is not normally considered safety-critical. Virtually all CBTC systems in service today are based upon near-field inductive loop (IL-CBTC) communications but several new Radio Frequency CBTC (RF-CBTC) projects are under development. RF-CBTC Systems nearing completion include Singapore's North East Line and SEPTA's Subway Surface Trolley line in Philadelphia, PA.

• According to reports, investigations into 11 driverless systems around the world found they allowed operators to provide excellent services and maintain quality while reducing operating costs. It also resulted in shorter waiting times for passengers, greater cleanliness, and better safety both on trains and stations.

Other examples of automated metros from around the world

Phase I of the Copenhagen system operates with 19 of 34 train sets, all driverless but carrying train attendants who travel the entire length of the train to assist passengers, inspect farecards, and help in emergencies. The city of Nuremburg, Germany, recently awarded a contract to siemens Transportation Systems to retrofit one of the city's existing underground railway lines to operate automatically, and to equip a subway line now under construction with a control system that permits fully automated, driverless operation. When operational, the Nuremberg system will mingle conventional and automatic operation on a common track used by two subway lines. Berlin also may be moving toward driverless operations. Integrated moving block train operation and safety systems tested in five months of automated service on the U5 line in 2000 will allow for conversion to driverless operation if and when the city administration makes a decision, contingent on the availability of funds.

Singapore, which has a world-class 52-mile metro system plus several automated people movers now under construction, is aiming for a 91-mile system by 2005. Singapore is also known for its automated electronic road pricing system and the five million smart cards in use by car owners and metro and bus passengers.

Kuala Lumpur's Driverless PUTRA is a 20-mile system, with 24 stations, operating largely above ground on a guideway supported by pylons. Slightly less than three miles of the system are operated in underground tunnels.

Future Growth in Automated Systems

The UITP working group concludes that automated systems result in lower waiting time for passengers and a higher level of cleanliness, information, and safety in both trains and stations.

In automated systems with platform doors, service availability is rated as "excellent" (99.7 percent), a figure substantially superior to conventional metros.