After many months of trials and training, 3 September saw a fully-automated driverless tram enter regular passenger service on line 10 in the north-west suburbs from Ulitsa Kulakova to Metro Shchukinskaya. operator Moskva Metro said it was a very significant technological milestone. The PKTS-built 71-911EM Lvyonok bogie tram 30618 is fitted with six cameras, four lidar and three radar systems, using 3D technology to create a precise map of the tram’s surroundings for navigation and identifying objects. The software developed in house has performed over 8000km without violating traffic rules and it adheres to timetables, stopping automatically and opening/closing passenger doors. Testing involved operating without passengers, but with a driver in the cab, and then letting passengers board and alight. Regular passenger service still sees a member of staff in the cab, but not intervening at all.
It is planned to equip three more trams by the end of the year and more than 300 by 2030. It is hoped that by 2035 some 90% of the trams in the city will be using automated technology.
The automated tram on Moskva lite 10; the driver’s seat is unoccupied. (S. Lapin)
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