A "new chapter" for China's railways! my country's first unmanned heavy-haul train test was successful

Author: Shi Xiangqi and Li Chuanfu

On September 26, 2024, a new page was opened in the history of China's railways. With the sound of a long whistle, an unmanned 10,000-ton heavy-load train slowly started at Huanghua South Station of the Shuohuang Railway of the State Energy Group. After a two-and-a-half-hour journey, it stopped safely and accurately at Dongying West Station. This marks a major breakthrough in my country's heavy-load railway intelligent driving, and the unmanned heavy-load train has completed its operation test.

The train in this test consists of 108 carriages, with a total length of about 1.3 kilometers and a total weight of 10,800 tons. This pioneering effort not only demonstrates my country's strong strength in heavy-duty railway transportation, but also achieves full independent control in the independent research and development of key technologies and innovation in management and control models.

The successful test of the unmanned heavy-load train has achieved a leapfrog development from automatic driving to unmanned driving. The application of this technology is expected to significantly increase the average operating speed of the train and reduce traction energy consumption, thereby greatly improving transportation efficiency. According to estimates, the application of this technology is expected to increase the average operating speed of the train by 1.7km/h and reduce the average traction energy consumption by 2.9%, which is of great significance to the implementation of major national energy strategies such as "transporting coal from the west to the east".

On the technical level, the realization of unmanned heavy-load trains relies on breakthroughs in a number of key technologies, including intelligent adjustment of train control strategies, train operation in complex environments, identification and analysis of operating environments, etc. In addition, the test train also achieved automatic switching of train signals, intelligent acquisition of route information, and autonomous identification of core equipment and dispatching information.

The control mode of unmanned heavy-load trains has also achieved innovation. The R&D team has created a new business model of "digital simulation, intelligent driving, remote control, intensive scheduling, integrated monitoring, and less-manned duty", creating the first new paradigm of intelligent heavy-load transportation in China with centralized control at stations and full system innovation of intelligent driving of trains. The combination of these technologies enables trains to maintain efficient and safe operation in complex environments.

In addition, the test also used a digital simulation platform for multi-dimensional information interaction between vehicles and the ground. This is the first unmanned operation simulation platform for heavy-duty railways in China. It has achieved full-chain autonomous control of key systems and key technologies, and will promote the rapid development of intelligent driving technology for heavy-duty railways.

The successful test of the unmanned heavy-haul train not only improves the level of intelligence, unmanned operation and digitalization of my country's heavy-haul railway, but will also have a profound impact on the future development of the railway transportation industry. With the continuous maturity and application of technology, we have reason to believe that future railway transportation will be more efficient, safe and green, providing strong support for the country's economic development and energy strategy.