AFAS

Background

The Swiss Federal Office of Transport (BAV) has granted approval for the Schweizerische Südostbahn (SOB) to operate an automated driver assistance system (AFAS) in scheduled passenger service — a first on the Swiss standard-gauge network. The trial on the S31 line between Biberbrugg and Arth-Goldau began in July 2025 and will continue through summer 2026, with trains continuing to be driven by qualified personnel supported by the AFAS technology.

Designed and tested over multiple years by Stadler and SOB, the AFAS system assists the driver with routine operational tasks such as maintaining speed, acceleration, and braking, while responsibility for safe operation remains with the human operator. Data from daily service will provide insights into how automation can improve operational efficiency and resource use on mainline railways.

Our role

Nuorail has joined this initiative to collect, analyze and present the results from the trial, turning operational data into actionable performance insights by the end of 2026 on a public report. Our role is to support the interpretation of system behavior under realistic conditions, contributing to a broader understanding of automation on passenger rail.