Acceptance conditions for automated rail transport
Acceptance GoA3+
The introduction of automated train operations offers numerous advantages and potential for Germany as an innovation hub. It also seems necessary given the demographic development and the emerging shortage of personnel resources. The omission of train drivers (Grade of Automation 3, or GoA3) and additionally the omission of on-board staff (GoA4) - collectively referred to as GoA3+ - leads to new and varied challenges for stakeholders in passenger and freight transport.
From new technologies to acceptance conditions
While technical implementation possibilities and associated approval processes are already being extensively researched, an in-depth scientific study of the acceptance factors of the involved or affected stakeholders, such as passengers, railway undertakings, railway operating personnel, and approval authorities, is still lacking. Public perception and the related societal acceptance of automated rail operations are also of interest.
A successful migration to GoA3+ will only succeed by taking into account the acceptance, knowledge, and expectations of all stakeholders.
Requirements of different stakeholders
Since the stakeholders involved in the introduction of GoA3+ are very diverse, it is a challenge to reconcile the interests of the groups.
The aim of this project is to gain a comprehensive overview of the perspective of key stakeholders important for the migration of automated railway operations on automated train operation, and to identify the specific key factors for the acceptance of GoA3+. Based on this, action recommendations for communication strategies, investments in research and development, as well as additions to technical standards will be developed and effectively evaluated as a basis for the introduction of suitable and accepted automation.
