Rio Tinto operates about 200 locomotives on what is the largest privately owned rail network in Australia. The 2.4-km-long trains travel across a network of 1,700 km of track, delivering iron ore from 16 mines. The trains have safely traveled autonomously more than 4.5 million km since they were first deployed in 2018. All locomotives are fitted with Auto- Haul safety systems, including collision detection systems, automatic train protection technology that controls train speed to ensure adherence to speed limits, and an onboard video camera to record the front view from the train.

The world-first AutoHaul program was made possible by close collaboration between Rio Tinto and project partners from Japan, the United States and Australia. These include Hitachi Rail, Calibre, New York Air Brake, Wabtec, and others, who provided the necessary expertise, innovation, and software to make AutoHaul a success. Several of these partners maintain a strong presence in Western Australia and have committed to continuing to invest locally. AutoHaul trains, which deliver safety and productivity benefits for Rio Tinto’s iron ore business, have also firmly positioned Western Australia and its heavy-haul rail industry as a global leader in the joint development and application of rail technology.