IF articles

Summary - This article presents the Italian Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) Research and Development ERTMS/ATO project for a HS train, implemented for the specific application of a prototype of an inspection URV (Unmanned Railway Vehicle) autonomous driving railway vehicle. Technical and regulatory challenges are analysed, with a focus on the control architecture for autonomous driving. The system integrates advanced features such as real-time planning and path control, ensuring safety, efficiency and robustness. Through an approach based on models and formal methods, the project followed a rigorous testing process, culminating in line trials at RFI’s Bologna San Donato test circuit. In the context of increasing focus on autonomous driving trains in the railway sector, confirmed by the inclusion of ATO in the 2023 CCS (Control and command signalling) TSI, the results demonstrate the potential of the ERTMS/ATO prototype to improve safety, efficiency and sustainability in the railway sector, paving the way for further applications and future studies.

https://www.medra.org/servlet/view?lang=it&doi=10.57597/IF.04.2025.ART.1