Russia Is on Its Way to Implement Autonomous Trams

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Soon, trams equipped with enhanced security features will be active on the streets of one of the biggest cities in Europe, St. Petersburg. Innovative trams equipped with active safety systems and driver alert control systems will begin to run on the streets of St. Petersburg, which is the first step Russia will take towards the integration of autonomous tram driving control systems into its transport system. 

“For this we don’t need new infrastructure, but we need psychological preparation. Society will  gradually get used to all innovations. Psychological preparation is primarily needed for drivers. be sure whether this active safety system will work or not. Our trams are ready for this innovation… we do not have an autonomous system for trams already on our streets, but this will be the first step towards the implementation of this system.” said Denis Minkin, director of the Russian transport corporation Gorelektrotrans,

According to Asumetech.com, Minkin pointed out that “the new tram driver assistance system currently includes an active safety system and a driver vigilance control system, and these two systems are interconnected with each other, and the active safety system includes video cameras, highly sensitive radars and a data processing system that can also automatically control the brakes if a dome is detected on the vehicle. With the appropriate response from the driver, it automatically controls the braking system to reduce speed until the car comes to a complete stop”. As for the driver notification system installed on the new trams, it is equipped with video cameras and artificial intelligence systems.