France Launches Driverless Trains to Inspect High-Speed Lines

In 2030, France plans to deploy MARS LGV driverless trains to conduct early-morning inspections of high-speed rail lines before the start of daily commercial operations. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

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SNCF Réseau, the infrastructure operator of France’s national railway, has launched a five-year initiative to develop the autonomous MARS LGV train for early-morning high-speed line inspections.

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Currently, TGV trains without passengers perform these checks at speeds up to 220 km/h, requiring significant resources. To streamline the process, SNCF is shifting toward automation.

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The MARS LGV trains will be remotely controlled from a centralized command center. They will be equipped with cameras, radars, lidars, and other sensors that transmit real-time data for immediate analysis.

Onboard AI will detect obstacles and anomalies along or near the tracks, enabling rapid identification of areas requiring maintenance or intervention.

Next-generation traction batteries will power the trains. Dedicated service points along the HSR lines will enable battery charging and data transmission to the control center.

A prototype is expected by the end of 2026, with production in 2027. Operational trials are scheduled for 2028, concluding with full validation by mid-2029.

The MARS LGV project involves six partner companies and is backed by funding from the French government.

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