Study of Challenges and Opportunities for Automation of Rail Operations in Canada

Transport Canada has a requirement for an exploratory study to identify the Challenges and Opportunities for Automation of Rail Operations in Canada: an exploratory study of the technical, operational, economic, environmental, and safety aspects of automation in the rail sector

The objective of this exploratory study is to better understand implications of, and to help prepare the railway industry and regulators for, automation technology deployment. This will be achieved by:

• Identifying current examples of non-urban and intercity railway automation from around the world and assessing their capabilities (e.g.: what part of the system is automated),
• Providing an understanding of lessons learned and best practices from implementation of existing systems from around the world, including urban light rail,
• Providing a better understanding of the technical, operational, economic, environmental and safety aspects of automation in the rail sector with consideration to the feasibility and opportunities and challenges of implementing railway automation in the Canadian context,
• Providing an understanding of how automation could support and enhance human performance in order to improve the efficiency and safety of Canadian passenger and freight railway operations (i.e.: human factors considerations),
• Providing an understanding of spectrum requirements and cybersecurity implications.

There are no security requirements for this project.