ABSTRACT
Automated vehicles will be increasingly used as transport in the future. However, it is unclear if this imply full autonomy or different levels of automation. A unified definition of autonomy in transport is missing. The SAREPTA project (Safety, autonomy, remote control and operations of industrial transport systems) is established in 2017, and cover safety challenges of future intelligent transport systems that are autonomous, remotely controlled and normally not manned. The project covers both road, sea, aviation and rail. This paper focuses on issues related to rail transport, including both metros and railway. The purpose of the paper is to describe current rail accidents as a basis for questioning whether future digitalisation will improve safety. The paper will discuss the autonomy concept in relation to grades of automation. Relevant questions are: What is automation and which accidents may be prevented by automation? To what degree do automation and remote control imply removal of the Human Factor? And from a safety perspective—What is the safety potential of future automation, and how can humans contribute to safety in future intelligent transport systems?
