Automatic train protection (ATP) system is essential for ensuring the safe operation of high‐speed trains. However, the existing extensive and fixed maintenance mode of the ATP system results in a waste of resources. To achieve a state of operation and maintenance that ensures both protection capability and economic efficiency, a lean method in a dynamic maintenance mode for the full life cycle of the ATP system is proposed. Firstly, reliability tests are carried out based on historical failure data. The parameter values of the possible life distribution are estimated by maximum likelihood method, and the optimal life distribution of different devices is obtained through the Kolmogorov–Smirnov hypothesis test. Secondly, a dynamic failure rate function is introduced to describe the impact of maintenance on device performance. A refined maintenance model is then established within the life cycle, and the dynamically changing preventive maintenance intervals and frequencies are obtained using a genetic algorithm. Finally, to mitigate the impact of the intermittent operation of ATP system on maintenance, the multidimensional relationships among the maintenance strategy, service time and operation mileage are revealed. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through an example test on a type of driver machine interface device.