Automatic driving maglev train hits road in Changsha

　　The first automatic-driving magnetic levitation train, or maglev train, departed from Changsha South Railway Station on June 6.

　　The automatic train is based on ATO (automatic train operation), a control system which allows for the automatic operation of trains, through control of acceleration and braking, including terminal braking at specified station-stop positions.

　　Connecting Changsha South Railway Station and Changsha Huanghua International Airport, the maglev train adopting ATO system helps shorten the travelling time of a single-journey by about 2 minutes from previous 19 minutes and 30 seconds.

An automatic maglev train runs across the city of Changsha. [Photo/news.changsha.cn]

　　Changsha Maglev Express, China's first domestically built maglev line that uses homegrown technology, started operation on May 6, 2016 and has operated safely for more than 760 days with the punctuality levels reaching 99.85 percent.

　　The safe and reliable maglev trains have been researched and developed by the Hunan Maglev Company. The first driverless maglev train debuted in Shanghai in March, but is based on the APM (Automatic People Mover) system.