A Universal Distributed Failure Signalling and Diagnostic System for Rolling Stock

Abstract

The large number of automatic functions on board of rolling stock creates the need for modern electronic systems and communication techniques. The growing complexity of railway equipment makes the use of failure signalling devices a necessity for the drivers and a diagnostic system becomes essential for a quick maintenance service. The proposed failure signalling and diagnostic system is based on a hierarchical and open network architecture. It can contribute to the availability and security improvement and to a maintenance cost reduction of the rolling stock.Locally detected failures are transmitted to the driver by means of the (general purpose) vehicle databus, the vehicle concentrators, the train databus and the central control system. Maintenance services have the facility to request locally memorized failures by access to the network. The failure signalling and diagnostic system makes it possible to locate the failures, proposes actions to the driver and allows a diagnosis. Statistical data becomes available in order to improve the reliability of the equipment. The system is operational in a prototype train set (Suburban) and observes the door and brake subsystems.