Request ID: FOI-3515-2324 Date published: 25 January 2024
You asked
The International Electrotechnical Commission's standard IEC 62267 defines five grades of automation for urban rail transport systems: GOA0, GOA1, GOA2, GOA3, and GOA4.
I wish to know the grade of automation (GOA) of:
• each of the 11 London Underground lines;
• the Docklands Light Railway (DLR);
• each of the six routes of the London Overground;
• the Elizabeth line; and
• the London Trams.
Where any of these have different GOAs along different branches or sections, I wish to know the GOA along each branch or section.
I also wish to know whether any of the GOAs is due to change and, if yes, in each case:
• to what GOA; and
• within what time frame.
We answered
TfL Ref: 3515-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 3 January 2024 asking for information about Grades of Automation.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Specifically you asked as follows:
The International Electrotechnical Commission's standard IEC 62267 defines five grades of automation for urban rail transport systems: GOA0, GOA1, GOA2, GOA3, and GOA4.
I wish to know the grade of automation (GOA) of:
each of the 11 London Underground lines;
the Docklands Light Railway (DLR);
each of the six routes of the London Overground;
the Elizabeth line; and
the London Trams.
Where any of these have different GOAs along different branches or sections, I wish to know the GOA along each branch or section.
I also wish to know whether any of the GOAs is due to change and, if yes, in each case:
to what GOA; and
within what time frame.
Please see below for the answer to your request per mode:
London Underground
Please see attached document for the London Underground. Please note that the re-signalling of parts of the Sub Surface Line beyond where it is currently (e.g. Taking GOA2 to Amersham) is all part of the on-going Four Line Modernisation Programme (4LM) which is still progressing and is planned to complete its scope in the next 2-3 years.
DLR
The DLR is currently GOA3 and there are no plans to change from this.
London Overground
The two train fleets that operate on all London Overground routes fall within the definition of GOA1. Arriva Rail London is not aware of any plans that would suggest this grade will change.
Elizabeth line
The Elizabeth Line core section (Stratford to Westbourne Park) utilises GOA2. Auto-reversing is also available (GOA3) between Paddington and Westbourne Park for non-passenger moves. Elizabeth Line trains operating on Network Rail and Heathrow Airport Ltd. infrastructure utilise GOA0/GOA1 depending on the availability of Automatic Train Protection (ATP). The Elizabeth Line is not part of the London Underground network. There are currently no plans to change the Grade of Automation on the Elizabeth Line core infrastructure.
London Trams
Trams are GOA0; we are some way off achieving GOA1.However, the introduction of Physical Prevention of Over Speed, (PPOS) at key locations, the driver attention device (Guardian) and the rollout of over speed alerts via iTram and Correct Side Door Enabling (CSDE) will improve our automated rating but would not take trams to GOA1. Proposed new signalling and control systems will priorities improvements in safety and this may include increases in automation. However, like buses trams operate in a shared transport environment with other road users and pedestrians and we will need to undertake detailed safety and risk assessment before the introduction of any new technology. These projects are unlikely to come on-line for some time (3-4 years) funding permitting and even these improvements may not raise trams to the next level. The new rolling stock project (2028 - 30) may bring more opportunities for improvements, with continuous overspeed protection a requirement. which will likely improving our GOA rating to a 1. If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
