The first technological trials are already underway on Lithuania’s railways, potentially paving the way for autonomous trains in the future. This forms part of a broader technological transformation being carried out by the LTG Group, encompassing infrastructure modernisation, digitisation and the implementation of new automation solutions. Although trains operating entirely without drivers remain a long-term prospect, the railway sector is already moving towards a future in which advanced technologies and artificial intelligence systems take on an increasing number of functions.

According to Vytautas Bitinas, LTG’s Chief Technology Officer, implementing a single project is not enough to introduce autonomous technologies on the railways. Rather than pursuing radical change, LTG is taking a gradual approach, testing and implementing individual technologies that will ultimately function as a unified ecosystem supporting autonomous train operations.

“One of the most important tasks is to identify reliable and cost-effective solutions. Technologies already exist on the market that would allow, for example, the assessment of conditions around a train’s doors and the determination of whether passenger boarding has been completed. This is achieved through the use of various sensors, cameras and analytical algorithms capable of detecting people or other objects within a danger zone.

The next step is the automation of other system components, including obstacle monitoring on the track, speed and operational parameter control, and remote monitoring solutions. Key industry players are actively developing and refining these technologies, so the direction of travel is clear. In the future, this could reduce the need for human intervention while maintaining the highest levels of safety,” says V. Bitinas.

A Breakthrough in Monitoring

One of the most notable automation solutions currently being introduced in Lithuania is a 3D railway infrastructure scanning system, which captures the geometry of the entire network in real time and enables the creation of a highly accurate digital twin. This technology will make it possible not only to assess the current condition of infrastructure in detail but also to continuously monitor even the smallest changes, predict potential issues and make data-driven decisions regarding maintenance, repairs and future development.

“We are already implementing this advanced system in Lithuania, which is fundamentally transforming the approach to railway infrastructure maintenance. The most critical measurements will become even more automated and will be carried out far more quickly and accurately.

Given that Lithuania’s railway network extends for more than 3,500 kilometres, even partial automation of maintenance processes represents a significant technological leap and opens up entirely new opportunities for the efficient management of one of the country’s largest infrastructure systems. This is particularly important as we electrify the main Vilnius–Klaipėda route, since monitoring the power supply network and ensuring rapid service restoration are essential to delivering a high-quality service,” says LTG’s Chief Technology Officer.

Safety Is the Top Priority

According to LTG’s Chief Technology Officer, autonomous continuous environmental monitoring tools that utilise artificial intelligence are currently being tested in Lithuania, enabling real-time analysis of railway sections and the detection of unexpected obstacles.

“If a fallen tree, a vehicle or another hazardous object were to appear on the tracks, the system could automatically identify the problem, trigger a response and help prevent accidents,” says V. Bitinas.

Rail transport is one of the most strictly regulated modes of transport, operating under exceptionally high safety standards. As a result, every new technology is introduced with the utmost care. This is particularly relevant in the case of autonomous solutions, which may eventually take over some of the functions currently performed by humans. Before becoming part of day-to-day operations, such technologies must undergo extensive testing, monitoring and validation, ranging from trials in controlled environments to operation under real-world conditions.

For this reason, the journey towards autonomous trains will not be characterised by sudden change. Instead, individual automation components are introduced first, and their reliability, safety and performance are assessed across a variety of scenarios. Only once it has been demonstrated that these systems can consistently and accurately perform their intended functions can their application be expanded. This gradual approach not only ensures the highest levels of safety for passengers and infrastructure but also establishes a strong technological foundation for the future of autonomous rail transport.