Market Trends of Autonomous Train Industry
Metro/Monorail is Dominating the Autonomous Train Market
Metro/monorail is dominating the autonomous train market due to the increasing demand for an efficient, safe, and affordable mode of transport. The rising penetration of GoA 4 technology in metro rail is likely to boost the market’s growth. GoA 4 is an unattended train operation (UTO) where activities like starting and stopping, operation of doors, and handling of emergencies are fully automated without any on-train staff.
Rail is considered one of the safest modes of land transport and is more attractive to the customer as it offers a much better service to potential passengers and boosts passenger numbers. Consumers worldwide are increasingly demanding safer and more efficient transport, highlighting the importance of adopting advanced technology-based transport, i.e., autonomous trains for commuting purposes.
The growing electrification of metro/monorails due to the enactment of stringent emission norms across the world is also boosting the market’s growth. The introduction of connected metro rail is creating a challenge for the autonomous train market. Rail has been identified as one of the most energy-efficient transport modes, accounting for 8% of global motorized passenger movements and 7% of freight but consuming only 2% of transport energy.
Major industries are jointly working on rail projects to develop advanced technology for autonomous metro rail. Recent developments like testing driverless passenger cars are expected to further propel the market’s growth. For instance,
- In May 2023, Mumbai's first underground metro line in India sought safety approval to begin driverless operations after completing Phase 1 (Bandra Kurla Complex to Aarey) in December 2023. In September 2021, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering formed a joint venture with Keolis and Mitsubishi Corp. for a new concession of Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram.
- Similarly, in June 2023, Alstom announced the entry into service of the MRT yellow line in Bangkok, a driverless system. The 30 four-car monorail trains can operate at speeds up to 80km/h.
Thus, such developments are expected to contribute to the market's growth in the coming years.
Asia-Pacific is Expected to Witness Significant Growth During the Forecast Period
Asia-Pacific has one of the largest rail networks globally, which is likely to dominate the autonomous train market worldwide. The growing investment by governments across the region, including China, India, and Japan, for rail infrastructure development may boost the market’s growth in the region.
The growing popularity of metro travel as public transportation in India is also leading to significant growth in the region’s autonomous train market. Therefore, the railway network plays a very significant role in the economic development of countries in Asia-Pacific.
For instance, in March 2024, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) received the first set of six train coaches, part of the Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) system, for its under-construction yellow line, which is set to undergo various safety tests.
The 18.8 km-long line connecting RV Road and Bommasandra will be the first to have a driverless train.
Asia-Pacific is also characterized by the presence of both developed and developing economies, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. Major industries are planning to establish rail projects in Asia-Pacific, which is witnessing significant growth in the market. For instance, in January 2024, East Japan Railway (JR East) announced plans to introduce largely automated bullet trains by the mid-2030s, becoming the first company in Japan to implement this labor-saving measure. The company aims to achieve Grade of Automation 3 (GoA3), which means the train can drive itself with a human operator managing the doors and taking over in case of emergencies.
With such developments by major players and their expansion into the country, the development of autonomous trains is expected to increase over the coming years.
