Professor Takafumi Koseki
Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Systems, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Japan

Bio Sketch:
Prof. Koseki graduated from the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Tokyo and earned his PhD from the Graduate School of Engineering at the same university. He began his academic career at the University of Tokyo as an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, later moving to the Graduate School of Engineering.

Prof. Koseki research focuses on the industrial applications of electrical, electronic and control engineering, specializing in electric railways and transportation systems, including linear motors and magnetic levitation. Alongside his academic research, he is currently dedicated to social and professional activities aimed at the realization and widespread implementation of driverless automatic train operation in Japan. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including IEEJ, IEEE, JSME, JSAEM, JSPE, JREA, JREEA and JTERA, contributing with his expertise to the advancement of railway technology and industrial systems.

Lecture Abstract:
This keynote lecture provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of Grades of Automation (GoA) in global urban rail systems. It examines the socio-economic drivers behind Japan’s traditionally cautious approach to adoption and the subsequent pivot since 2019 toward robust public-private initiatives. These efforts are aimed at mitigating critical labour shortages and ensuring the succession of technical expertise. Specifically, the presentation explores the strategic significance of Japan’s unique GoA (Automated Train Operation with an onboard attendant) and pioneering advancements towards higher GoA.

Furthermore, the talk highlights Energy-Efficient Train Operation (EETO) as a vital secondary benefit of automation, introducing recent research progress in Japan, including the contributions by the authors. A central theme is the optimization of control algorithms to minimize energy consumption under high-density scheduling and complex track conditions. All while upholding the hallmark of Japanese rail: strict punctuality.

Finally, the lecture concludes with a vision for the sustainability of railway systems in a depopulating society. It emphasizes the crucial role of engineers in advancing and standardizing these technologies for the global market, positioning the future of Japanese Automated Train Operation (ATO) within the framework of international competitiveness.

Outline of the Presentation:
1) Introduction: Historical overview of automated urban rail development worldwide and the definitions of Grades of Automation under international standards.
2) The historical lag in adopting DTO in Japan and the underlying socio-economic factors.
3) The rapid acceleration of ATO initiatives by operators and government authorities in Japan since 2019.
4) The value of automation: Strategic approaches to staff-supported ATO and driverless strategy in the Japanese context.
5) Secondary benefits of ATO: Energy-Efficient Train Operation (EETO).
6) The Japanese philosophy of energy-efficient driving: Achieving energy minimization while maintaining stringent schedule adherence and punctuality.
7) Conclusion: The role and challenges of railway engineers in ensuring sustainability and international competitiveness for Japanese rail systems.