Unmanned Train Control Trial Using LTE Frequencies in Moscow Metro
A test site for long-term unmanned train control has appeared on the Nekrasovskaya branch of the Moscow metro. The project relies on LTE-type communications to steer trains without a human operator, according to the city’s deputy mayor, Maxim Liksutov, as reported by TASS.
The pilot area is currently limited to a portion of the Nekrasovskaya line and uses only two LTE base stations. These stations operate within a specially designated frequency band from 360 to 380 MHz. If the initial test proves successful, the plan is to expand the pilot to cover the entire metro line, adding a total of 12 communication points across the network.
Deputy Mayor Liksutov noted that Moscow has its own radio frequency band that would permit a future transition to drone-style control using the metro spectrum. He estimated that this transition could take five to ten years, signaling a long-term roadmap rather than an immediate overhaul.
He emphasized that unmanned operation is not presented as a guaranteed solution or a duty of the authorities to safeguard every journey. Rather, it is described as one option among several, to be deployed only when it clearly enhances performance. The expected benefits include shorter intervals between trains and increased passenger safety, but the system will be brought online only when these advantages are demonstrable.
The information reflects the city’s ongoing exploration of autonomous rail control technologies and the potential integration with existing metro operations as part of a broader modernization strategy.