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It is not uncommon for AGTs to be perceived as fully automated unmanned operations. It should be noted, however, that manned AGTs also exist in Japan and are characterized by a distinct set of features and operational considerations. For example, the Yukarigaoka Line, Japan's third AGT, is a manned AGT with a driver on board, whereas the Port Liner and Newtram were fully automated unmanned operation. Japan also has other AGTs such as the New Shuttle, The Leo Liner, and Astram Line are also manned AGT system, which are rare worldwide. What is the rationale behind Japan being the only country to utilize such a manned AGT system? The Astram Line is manned for the purpose of guiding passengers in the event of an emergency, given the presence of underground sections. In contrast, the Yukarigaoka Line, New Shuttle, and Leo Liner have opted not to install facilities for unmanned operation to keep line construction costs down. However, these lines are equipped with ATS/ATC as safety equipment to ensure safety. In the future, as it becomes increasingly difficult to secure drivers for the entire railroad system, manned AGTs may gradually move toward unmanned operation.

What is the driver's seat for in an AGT Have you ever asked yourself this question when riding in an unmanned AGT? Why is there a driver's seat?” It is normal that foreign AGTs do not have a driver's seat. Then, why do Japanese AGTs have a driver's seat? In the automobile world, automated driving has attracted attention, and AGTs have achieved automated driving for 40 years. The secret is a dedicated track. It is an environment where neither cars nor people can enter the track, which is why automation was possible from the beginning. Currently, there are 10 AGT lines in Japan, of which the following 6 lines are fully automated.  Port Liner,  New Tram,  Seaside Line,  Rokko Liner,  Yurikamome,  Nippori-Toneri Liner The driver's seat is located at the front of the train on all lines, and is usually covered by the driver's control panel, allowing passengers to sit back and enjoy the scenery. This is a special experience that cannot be had on any other train. So, why do we need a driver's seat on an unmanned train? First, in the event of a malfunction in the automatic operating system, an attendant will board the train to operate it manually. It is also used for driving in the manual operation section of the depot. In addition, Japanese AGTs have a special custom.　 That is, the driver has to drive manually once a month. This is a training to maintain a sense of driving, but this is a uniquely Japanese style that is not found in overseas AGTs. Sitting in the front seat of an AGT, you can enjoy the dynamic scenery while feeling like you are the driver. Next time you ride an AGT, please try to sit in the front seat. There you will find a special place where the future of full automation and Japan's unique attention to detail come together. Stay tuned for my next blog!

Monorails and AGTs have a lot in common in terms of their appearance and rubber-tyred structures, and many people probably feel that they are the same vehicle. In fact, in some foreign countries, AGTs are called monorails. For example, you may have thought, "Is that a monorail? " You may have seen children exclaim, "It's a monorail!" because it looks and moves like a monorail. Monorails have a long history. The Wuppertal Monorail in Germany, which opened in 1901, is still in operation today. Monorails have been adopted around the world as a means of efficiently using limited space in cities. Photo: Jerome Cid/Dreamstime On the other hand, the AGT, which was introduced in the 1970s, has features that take advantage of advanced technology that came later. For example, it can make a 90-degree turn at an intersection, allowing it to be deployed in areas with dense buildings. In addition, AGT has been designed on the premise of automated operation since its inception, and is even attracting attention as a system that meets modern needs such as ensuring safety and reducing operating costs. In my blog, we would like to introduce the strengths of AGT and how it differs from monorails. We will show how AGT supports our way of life and opens up new possibilities. Stay tuned for the next AGT blog!

You may have looked at the title and thought, “What a strange story!" AGT is a new type of transportation. People often confuse it with monorails. One day. on the AGT Yurikamome, I heard a mother tell her child, “This is a straddle monorail. The Tokyo Monorail, a straddle monorail, and the Yurikamome, an AGT, clearly have different structures from the floor down. The AGT runs on a flat track like a highway, guided by guide rails. The straddle monorail straddles a concrete girder about 31 inches wide. In an emergency, AGT passengers can evacuate by walking on the track, but this is not possible with the monorail. In Japan, people don’t know much about these differences. The mother's words made me think “How can we make more people aware of AGT?”  So I started this blog to share the story of AGT. Please share your experiences and opinions about AGT with us. Together with us, let's spread the word about AGT together! Stay tuned for the next AGT blog!

On July 10, 2021, heavy rain caused  a disaster in Atami, Japan. Many people were died or injured when a discarded sediment washed out. On August 14, heavy rain in Hiroshima caused the JR Kabe line and streetcars to stop, as did most buses. The Astram Line kept running despite the bad weather. The citizens of Hiroshima were impressed by the resilience of the Astram Line against torrential rains. In cities, underpasses are often flooded during heavy rains, which disrupts bus service. AGTs run on elevated tracks, so they’re less affected by heavy rain.　 AGT is becoming popular overseas because it can withstand heavy rainfall. It is already used in Bangkok, where flooding is common. AGT is helping to make these cities more sustainable. It is not just a way to get around, but also an important part of the future of urban transportation as a resilient infrastructure against natural disasters such as heavy rains and floods.

Japan has a total of 10 AGT lines, starting with the Port Liner, which started operations in 1981, The Nippori-Toneri Liner in 2008, there are a total of 10 AGT lines in Japan, The AGT lines are used by 580,000 people (*) every day. In order from north to south, the following 10 lines are available: an environmentally friendly transportation system that eases traffic congestion in urban areas. After Japan, France has the second largest number of AGT lines, with six AGT lines in Lille, Toulouse, and Rennes, serving approximately 300,000 passengers daily. Japan's AGT ranks first in the world in both number of lines and number of passengers, far ahead of France. Japan is truly an AGT superpower. We believe that AGT will continue to play an important role in Japan's urban transportation infrastructure. Please stay tuned for the next AGT blog! (*) Statistics for 2019