Autonomous Trains Global Market Report 2024

The autonomous trains market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $9.79 billion in 2023 to $10.54 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth observed during the historical period can be attributed to various factors, including enhanced rail safety and efficiency, increased budget allocations for expanding railway networks, reduced environmental pollution and accidents, elevated passenger capacity, and improvements in railway infrastructure. These factors have collectively contributed to the growth of the autonomous train market.

The autonomous trains market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $14.62 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to several key factors, including advancements in automation technology, the initiation of global infrastructure projects, the ongoing trend of urbanization and population growth, heightened awareness concerning escalating tailpipe emissions, and the shortage of trained drivers. Notable trends that are expected to shape the market in the forecast period include a focus on connectivity and communication, emphasis on energy efficiency, the drive towards interoperability, the adoption of predictive maintenance practices, and the development of autonomous metro systems.

The global autonomous train market is experiencing growth due to the heightened demand for a safe, efficient, cost-effective, high-speed, and reliable mode of transportation. Rail transport is not only the safest land transport option but also highly attractive to customers. Autonomous trains, capable of reaching speeds of up to 300 km/hour, allow passengers to cover significant distances within a short time frame, typically 5 to 7 hours for a 1000 km journey. Furthermore, the flexibility to offer different frequencies during peak and off-peak hours improves service quality, consequently increasing passenger numbers. Moreover, intra-modal competition among railway operators and suppliers helps maintain affordable fares, even in regions with lower per capita income. This enhanced safety and competitive pricing drive the growth of the autonomous train market.

The autonomous train market encompasses various train categories, including suburban trains, trams, monorails, subways, and long-distance trains. Trams, specifically, are electric vehicles designed for urban passenger transportation, operating on tracks. Key technologies integrated into autonomous trains comprise automatic train control (ATC), communication-based train control (CBC), the European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS), and positive train control (PTC). These technologies contribute to the overall automation levels, categorized as GOA1, GOA2, GOA3, and GOA4. Autonomous trains find applications across different domains, serving passenger trains, freight transportation, and mining operations.

The autonomous train market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides autonomous train market statistics, including global market size, regional shares, competitors with an autonomous train market share, detailed autonomous train market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the autonomous train industry. This autonomous train market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The rise in train accidents is anticipated to be a significant driver for the growth of the autonomous trains market. Train accidents, which involve unexpected or unplanned incidents during rail vehicle operation, can have detrimental consequences. Autonomous train systems address this concern by minimizing accidents caused by driver fatigue or inattention. These systems continuously monitor their surroundings and can take evasive actions to avoid obstacles on the tracks, such as people or other vehicles. For instance, data from July 2023 indicates that the US experienced 954 railway-related deaths in 2022, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. Hence, the growing occurrence of train accidents will stimulate the autonomous trains market.

The growth of the autonomous train market may face limitations due to the considerable deployment and operational costs associated with potential security concerns. The initial capital expenditure linked to signaling and control equipment can lead to ongoing maintenance and operational expenses, necessitating substantial capital investments. Furthermore, there are elevated security risks concerning the transfer of data between a train's safety-critical systems, making it susceptible to cyberattacks. The Automatic Train Operation (ATO) component, which interfaces with other systems, becomes vulnerable to cyber threats, potentially compromising its high-resolution, real-time train status information exchanged between the train, wayside infrastructure, and control center. Ensuring the security of this vital data is paramount.

Autonomous trains are increasingly incorporating LiDAR and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance their performance. LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, plays a pivotal role in assessing moving train speed and track conditions, allowing for the evaluation of rail track quality. This system employs two pairs of lenses to capture speed signals individually from both train rails. It meticulously determines factors such as track speed, curvature, and variations in lateral and vertical geometry on each side of the rail. AI, on the other hand, holds the potential to elevate the performance of automated metro lines through predictive maintenance, reducing incidents, and facilitating quicker recovery in case of disruptions. Traditionally, managing incidents at the control center involves time-consuming visual and voice interactions. AI minimizes these interactions, enabling traffic controllers to focus on addressing the core issues efficiently.

Leading companies in the autonomous trains market are dedicated to pioneering innovative products, particularly automatic trains, aimed at delivering reliable services to their customers. Automatic trains are characterized by their operation without human intervention, relying on an array of sensors and communication systems to monitor the train's position, speed, and critical data. In a noteworthy development from October 2021, Deutsche Bahn AG, a Germany-based railway company, joined forces with Siemens Mobility, another German provider of sustainable and efficient transport solutions, to introduce an automated, driverless train. While a human operator remains on board to supervise the journey, passengers enjoy the benefits of an entirely automated train, guided by digital technology. The train receives control information via a new radio center, utilizing the 5G network.

In January 2021, Alstom, a prominent French manufacturing company, successfully completed the acquisition of Bombardier Inc. for a substantial sum ranging from $7.02 billion to $7.50 billion. This strategic acquisition of Bombardier Transportation presented a unique opportunity, ideally aligning with Alstom's growth trajectory. It significantly bolstered Alstom's operational and financial standing over the past four years, accelerating its strategic roadmap and contributing to the enrichment of Alstom's complementary commercial and industrial platforms. Bombardier Inc., headquartered in Canada, is a renowned manufacturer in the autonomous trains sector.

Major companies operating in the autonomous trains market include Alstom SA, ABB Ltd., Bombardier Transportation, CRRC Corporation Limited, Hitachi Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Siemens AG, Thales Group, Ansaldo STS S.p.A., Beijing Traffic Control Technology Co. Ltd., General Electric Company, China CNR Corporation Limited, Incheon Transit Corporation, Intesens, Transmashholding, CalAmp Corp., Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd., Deuta-Werke GmbH, Wabtec Corporation, Ingeteam S.A., Tech Mahindra Limited, American Equipment Company Inc., Belden Inc., Bharat Forge Limited, CAF Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles S.A., Deutsche Bahn AG, Cubic Transportation Systems Inc., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Knorr-Bremse AG

Western Europe was the largest region in the autonomous trains market in 2023. Asia-Pacific was the second largest region in the autonomous trains market. The regions covered in the autonomous trains market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the autonomous trains market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada

The autonomous trains market consists of sales of light trains, rapid transit trains, commuter trains, intercity trains, and high-speed trains. Values in this market are factory gate values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


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