Have you ever asked yourself this
question when riding in an unmanned
AGT?
Why is there a driver's seat?”
It is normal that foreign AGTs do not
have a driver's seat. Then, why do
Japanese AGTs have a driver's seat?
In the automobile world, automated
driving has attracted attention, and
AGTs have achieved automated driving
for 40 years.
The secret is a dedicated track. It is an
environment where neither cars nor
people can enter the track, which is why
automation was possible from the
beginning.
Currently, there are 10 AGT lines in
Japan, of which the following 6 lines are
fully automated.
Port Liner,
New Tram,
Seaside Line,
Rokko Liner,
Yurikamome,
Nippori-Toneri Liner
The driver's seat is located at the front
of the train on all lines, and is usually
covered by the driver's control panel,
allowing passengers to sit back and
enjoy the scenery. This is a special
experience that cannot be had on any
other train.
So, why do we need a driver's seat on
an unmanned train?
First, in the event of a malfunction in the
automatic operating system, an
attendant will board the train to operate
it manually. It is also used for driving in
the manual operation section of the
depot.
In addition, Japanese AGTs have a
special custom.
That is, the driver has to drive manually
several times a day. This is a training to
maintain a sense of driving, but this is a
uniquely Japanese style that is not found in overseas AGTs.
Sitting in the front seat of an AGT, you
can enjoy the dynamic scenery while
feeling like you are the driver.
Next time you ride an AGT, please try to
sit in the front seat. There you will find
a special place where the future of full
automation and Japan's unique attention to detail come together.
Stay tuned for my next blog!