Driverless trains could solve growing rail demand

Plans to introduce a network of "fully intelligent trains" have been laid out in a new report from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents train operators and Network Rail.

The new trains would be able to communicate with each other to negotiate junctions and keep a safe distance apart.

There would be no need for a driver as they would be "able to operate in a fully autonomous mode under remote supervision".

It is estimated they could save the industry £342m a year.

Image Caption: Rail staff would still supervise trains remotely

Some £450m has already been promised by the Government to trial new signalling technology.

Rail chiefs says this the first step towards developing trains able to operate independently and closer together.

The plans are likely to prove unpopular with rail unions, which have traditionally opposed automation over safety and job concerns.

Driverless trains are currently only used on east London's Docklands Light Railway, but rail chiefs say they are needed across Britain's railways to improve capacity.

Image Caption: A driverless DLR train in east London

In 2015/16 there were 1.69 billion passenger journeys on Britain's railways, compared with 735 million in 1994/5, according to Office of Rail and Road figures.

Launching the RDG's Capability Delivery Plan, chief executive Paul Plummer said the network is "increasingly full" and steps must be taken to consider "the solutions of tomorrow".

He said: "This blueprint sets out how we can harness digital technology to make journeys better for passengers and freight customers on a railway that's simpler and easier to use."

Image Caption: Ticket machines could be replaced by ticketing apps

Other proposals include replacing paper tickets with a new app that would open ticket gates automatically.

That system will be trialled by Chiltern Railways on their Oxford to London line this year.

This could eventually be replaced by biometric technology, allowing passengers to pay using their fingerprint or through iris-scanning.

In the next year the design of commuter trains could also be changed to free up more standing space.

These include seats that can be folded when the train is busy, and tables that can turn into seats.