CourseCivil, Rail & Smart Cities Applications open

Automated Tunnel Transport Course

Online course of 300 hours in automated transport in tunnels. 6 modules covering automated underground transport systems, automatic train control, tunnel infrastructure for automation, safety and certification, and the operation of automated systems, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration300 hours · 3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate

Automated Tunnel Transport Course — studying from Australia

Australia's infrastructure pipeline is substantial, covering roads, rail, ports, water and urban development across major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Rail engineering is especially active, with projects including Sydney Metro and Melbourne Metro. Smart city initiatives draw on sensors, data platforms and digital twins to improve transport, utilities and public services. Employers include state transport authorities, engineering consultancies such as Aurecon and WSP, and major contractors. Engineers work on design, asset management, construction oversight and sustainability.

Fees for Australia: A$868 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in Australia

  • Engineers Australia
  • Australasian Railway Association (ARA)
  • Standards Australia
  • Infrastructure Australia

Typical roles

  • Civil Engineer
  • Rail Systems Engineer
  • Infrastructure Project Engineer
  • Smart City Engineer

Questions from Australia

Does a SEIUM qualification meet Australian civil engineering registration requirements?

No. Civil engineers in Australia typically need an Engineers Australia accredited degree to pursue Chartered status, and state and territory rail and infrastructure regulators set their own requirements. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies, so employers or regulators decide how much weight they carry.

Which Australian employers hire in civil, rail and smart cities?

Australia has public infrastructure agencies, rail operators, engineering consultancies and councils working on urban and smart city projects. Employers usually prioritise accredited qualifications, licensing and project experience. Ask potential employers whether a private online qualification would be considered alongside your experience.

Is the course workable alongside work, and what does it cost?

The courses are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from anywhere in Australia without a student visa. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900, so plan your time accordingly. Fees are payable in instalments, employer sponsorship may be possible, and you will have an assigned technical tutor.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the grades of automation and their applications in tunnels.

02

Describe the architecture of automatic train control.

03

Define tunnel infrastructure requirements for automated systems.

04

Apply the RAMS life cycle to driverless systems.

05

Analyse the operation and maintenance of automated lines.

06

Assess the migration of existing lines to higher automation.

07

Produce the conceptual design of an automated transport system in a tunnel.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Railway systems engineers
  • CBTC signalling engineers
  • Metro operations managers
  • Systems integration engineers
  • Urban transport consultants
  • Railway safety engineers
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into urban transport
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC 62290-1 (urban guided transport management and command/control systems: system principles)
  • IEEE 1474.1 (Standard for CBTC Performance and Functional Requirements)
  • IEC 62267 (automated urban guided transport (AUGT): safety requirements)
  • UNE-EN 50126-1 (railway applications: RAMS)
  • UNE-EN 50128 (software for railway control and protection systems)
  • UNE-EN 50129 (safety-related electronic systems for signalling)
  • NFPA 130 (Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems)
  • IEC 62443 (security for industrial automation and control systems)
  • OpenTrack
  • RailSys
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • Enterprise Architect
  • Isograph Reliability Workbench
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Grades of automation GoA0 to GoA4
  2. 1.2Driverless automatic metros
  3. 1.3APM systems and airport shuttles
  4. 1.4Automated freight transport in tunnels
  5. 1.5Underground urban goods transport systems
  6. 1.6Conveyors and continuous systems on tunnel sites
  7. 1.7Automated guided vehicles in underground mining
  8. 1.8Advantages and challenges of automation
  9. 1.9Leading international examples
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of the Copenhagen automatic metro
  1. 2.1ATP, ATO and ATS architecture
  2. 2.2CBTC systems and moving block
  3. 2.3Radio-based train-to-wayside communications
  4. 2.4Train location: balises and odometry
  5. 2.5Obstacle detection on the track
  6. 2.6Platform screen doors and their integration
  7. 2.7Remote supervision from the control centre
  8. 2.8Degraded modes and recovery
  9. 2.9Interoperability between suppliers
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: calculating the minimum headway with moving block
  1. 3.1Clearance gauges and typical cross-section for automated vehicles
  2. 3.2Installation of trackside and radio equipment in the tunnel
  3. 3.3Platforms, doors and technical niches
  4. 3.4Automated depots and workshops
  5. 3.5Ventilation and evacuation without a driver
  6. 3.6Intrusion detection in the tunnel
  7. 3.7Cabling, ducts and optical fibre
  8. 3.8Electromagnetic compatibility of equipment
  9. 3.9Civil works-systems interfaces
  10. 3.10Workshop: integrating equipment into a tunnel section
  1. 4.1Hazard analysis in driverless systems
  2. 4.2Safety integrity levels (SIL)
  3. 4.3The RAMS life cycle
  4. 4.4Independent safety assessment
  5. 4.5Passenger management in unstaffed emergencies
  6. 4.6CCTV and communication with passengers
  7. 4.7Cybersecurity of railway systems
  8. 4.8Integration testing and trial running
  9. 4.9Authorisation for entry into service
  10. 4.10Case study: hazard analysis of an evacuation in a tunnel
  1. 5.1Service planning and frequencies
  2. 5.2Automatic traffic regulation
  3. 5.3Incident and failure management
  4. 5.4Maintenance of on-board and trackside equipment
  5. 5.5Availability and punctuality indicators
  6. 5.6Energy consumption and regenerative braking
  7. 5.7Customer service staff in stations and trains
  8. 5.8Migration of existing lines to GoA4
  9. 5.9User experience and social acceptance
  10. 5.10Case study: migrating a conventional line to automatic operation
  1. 6.1Definition of the corridor and demand
  2. 6.2Choice of the grade of automation
  3. 6.3Control system architecture
  4. 6.4Tunnel infrastructure requirements
  5. 6.5Safety and RAMS analysis
  6. 6.6Operation and maintenance plan
  7. 6.7Implementation cost estimate
  8. 6.8Testing and commissioning plan
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the course can be combined with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is OpenTrack, RailSys, MATLAB/Simulink, Enterprise Architect and Isograph Reliability Workbench, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for capacity analysis of automatic lines, systems integration in metro tunnels and GoA4 migration studies. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.

Standards covered: IEC 62290-1; IEEE 1474.1; IEC 62267; UNE-EN 50126-1; UNE-EN 50128; UNE-EN 50129; NFPA 130; IEC 62443.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of IEC 62290-1, IEEE 1474.1 and IEC 62267 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:OpenTrack, RailSys, MATLAB/Simulink, Enterprise Architect and Isograph Reliability Workbench, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:the conceptual design of an automated transport system in a tunnel, covering grade of automation, control architecture, infrastructure, RAMS and commissioning, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Corridor and automation grade
Define the corridor, demand and the grade of automation.
Control architecture
Design the architecture of the automatic train control system.
Infrastructure and RAMS
Set the tunnel infrastructure requirements and carry out the safety and RAMS analysis.
Operation and costs
Prepare the operation and maintenance plan and the implementation cost estimate.
Final project
A complete automated transport concept with testing and commissioning plan, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Railway systems engineerCBTC signalling engineerMetro operations managerSystems integration engineerUrban transport consultantRailway safety engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with OpenTrack, RailSys, MATLAB/Simulink, Enterprise Architect and Isograph Reliability Workbench, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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