Proxion led succesfully autonomous train tests in Finland
The autonomous train development project took a major step by carrying out field tests successfully in Finland. The project is led by private rail expert company Proxion. GoA4 level locomotive performed missions on a private track. Senior Ministerial Adviser Janne Hauta from ministry of transport and communications had the privilege to send the train to its first mission.
Fully automated and integrated supply chain between production and terminal
Project director Reijo Viinonen states that the autonomous train is intended to be a safe, sustainable, and competitive industrial transport mode. The autonomous, battery driven and shunting free transportation will be the future of industrial logistics.
New technologies from Finland
Partners in the development project were funded partly by Business Finland. Together they have been innovated and brought solutions for the autonomous train logistic on industrial rails.
VTT is one of Europe’s leading research institutions and is government owned.
-ADAS (Automated driving Assistant Systems) on market have been developed for the road transport, says Principal scientist Pertti Peussa from VTT. It is important to develop perception systems that are designed for railway environment. Reliable and safe operations in all conditions must be ensured also on tracks.
Electric Power Finland has been responsible for development of trackside equipment such as level crossings and fitting it to the needs of autonomous train unit.
-Our electronic switch communicates with the train unit wirelessly, for example using the 5G network, and the train commands the switch to ensure a safe path for itself, says Jani Tupitsa, EPF’s R&D Manager.
The field tests were carried out on Voikkaa Business area’s railyard by modified Otso 4 locomotive. Besides the test unit, Steelwheel is responsible for concept design of the battery-driven autonomous locomotive.
-Field tests which were performed here today proved us that current rolling-stock can be fitted for autonomous driving, says Kimmo Hämäläinen, CEO of Steelwheel. Our sustainable, battery-driven locomotive will be the future of the industrial transportation.
Technical Manager Kimmo Kolehmainen from Proxion presented the Proxion Train Logistics Management System (PTLMS), a software that manages the supply chain. Mr. Kolehmainen also highlighted the importance of CCS+ software of which development Proxion is also responsible.
-Automated and integrated transportation will enhance logistic competitiveness and productivity, Viinonen summarizes.
Read the original article published on Proxion’s web page to learn, what’s expected of future regulation to support development of autonomous trains.
Picture: Proxion
