VLI launches new stage of semi-autonomous train operation on FCA railroad

VLI has expanded its Leader project, designed to optimize energy efficiency and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, on the Southeast and East corridors of the FCA railroad [Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica]. In the second half of 2022, 51 locomotives equipped with this driving assistant technology started operating on the Northern Corridor of the country, connecting Porto Nacional, in Tocantins, to the port system in Maranhão’s São Luís. An additional 110 locomotives have been equipped with this system on the Southeast Corridor and 29 on the East, bringing the total to 190 locomotives with this technology.

With this software, engineers can enable semi-autonomous driving when the train reaches a speed of over 8 kilometers per hour. Cesar Toniolo, General Manager of Engineering, Development, and Operational Technology at VLI, emphasizes that the Leader project aligns with the company’s decarbonization strategy. “This technology enables the identification of operational factors that enable more efficient operation, reducing the consumption of fossil fuels.”

He estimates that fuel savings of 7% can be achieved in the East and Southeast corridors and 3.5% in the Northern Corridor. The expectation is that these goals can be achieved by 2024 through continuous technology improvement. “The program has been adapted to the specifics of the company’s railway, and continuous system improvements are made with each test to enhance it further. The project is in the validation and adaptation phase to VLI’s operational reality.”

According to Toniolo, the engineer remains essential in train operation. “They are responsible for supervising the assistant’s operation and regaining control when necessary. It is up to them to take control of the train in case of any unplanned variables during the composition’s circulation, ensuring the safety of the railway system and executing operational stop procedures or train passage alerts.”

In this initial implementation stage, the system is expected to be installed in 226 locomotives responsible for VLI’s main flows within the North, East, and Southeast corridors. The Leader project will also reduce wear and tear on rolling stock and enhance safety in railway operations.

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