Skip to main content

Written question asked by Rachael Maskell (Labour) on Thursday, 12 May 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 May 2022. It was answered by Wendy Morton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 May 2022 on behalf of the Department for Transport.


Railways: Technology

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the role of safe autonomous systems in the rail network, such as the system being developed at York's Institute for Safe Autonomy.

Answer

The Department supports further research into the application of safe autonomous rail systems in the UK, including the work being undertaken at York’s Institute for Safe Autonomy, which will be enhanced by the new research facility due to open in autumn 2022.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), which is Britain’s independent safety regulator, has recently consulted industry on the health and safety principles for operation of passenger trains with unattended train operation, which it plans to publish in due course. The industry will need to follow these principles closely as it considers opportunities for the application of safe autonomous rail systems.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
1221
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Innovation Railways Safety Technology
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk