JR East to Launch Automatic Train Operation on Keihin-Tohoku Line

How the system works

Once the driver presses the departure button in the cab, ATO accelerates and decelerates the train automatically and stops it at the designated position at the next station. It adjusts speed with gradients, curves and speed limits in mind. According to the company, this is meant to improve running stability, save energy and keep ride comfort consistent.

At departure, the train first receives a "departure permitted" signal from trackside equipment, and the crew then presses the button. When stopping, the train halts automatically within several tens of centimeters, forward or back, of the target position. Crew members still open and close the doors.

ATO operates together with automatic train control (ATC), which keeps the train from exceeding the speed limit.

Part of a wider rollout

The change builds on earlier use of the technology on the line. Through services arriving from the Yokohama Line have already used ATO since November 22, 2025. The December start extends it to the full Omiya–Ofuna section of the Keihin-Tohoku and Negishi lines, a busy commuter corridor.

For passengers, the crew remains on board and in charge of door operation, so the visible change should be limited. The expected gains are smoother, steadier running and lower energy use.