Qingdao Metro Co collaborated with CRRC Qingdao Sifang Rolling Stock Research Institute and developed an autonomous driving system solution, which passed expert reviews on Sept 17.

This world leading technology will lead to a technological transformation in China’s rail transportation industry once it is put into use. Along with a departure from the previous signal control system, urban rail transit system will be able to improve significantly in automation, and cut train headway to 73 seconds from the current limitation of 90 seconds.

Current subway systems worldwide that employ signal control technology requires trains in operation to send signals and wait for a control center to give orders. The new system will allow trains to make their own decisions on whether to accelerate or brake, and by cutting the signal transmission process, be able to save one second at each stop.

Qingdao’s Metro Line 6 will be the first service to apply the technology.