Shall the Rail Lines in Isolated Territories Be Replaced by "Autonomous Vehicle Trains"? (Editorial)

Abstract

The news that arrived on my desk forecast an increase in the size of the global rail market. The ability to meet constantly increasing demands for reduced traffic congestion and reduced journey time is now becoming our reality thanks to recent deployments of technological advancements in train operations. These achievements are equally true for high-speed rail technologies as well as for light-rail technologies. For example, the deployment of high-speed train technologies to the rail line between the Chinese cities of Xi’an and Chongqing has reduced the journey time by around 40% or so. Similarly, current deployments of light-rail systems accommodate the growth in demands for energy-efficient transportation as well as for comfortable and safe transportation.