Automation offers potentially transformative benefits to capacity, reliability, safety, energy use, service flexibility, costs and customer experience. Several metros have embarked on transformative brownfield automation projects, upgrading legacy infrastructure to Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) operations.
This study considers the current status of automation projects across the group, and how metros prepare for operating automated systems. It compiles experiences of new lines and brownfield system and sub-system upgrades, covering integration and interface management, platform doors and passenger safety infrastructure, staffing, emergency management, pre-operations, and operations strategies.
The report brings together information provided by COMET metros and selected ISBeRG railways through a questionnaire and in-depth discussions, including at the Metro Automation expert workshop held in Madrid in March 2025.