Automatic location-finding of train crew using GSM technology

Abstract

This paper on the use of (Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) technology to support automatic location-finding for train crews in the Netherlands is from the proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Computer System Design and Operation in Railways and Other Transit Systems, held in Beijing, China, in 2010. The authors first report some statistics on the passenger brand of NSR (Dutch Railways): the service on a daily basis deploys approximately 1,000 drivers and 1,300 guards to run approximately 5000 trains. The current deployment is in line with the crew schedule as laid down in the transport management system and usually manually updated when necessary. In the event of major disruptions, however, problems may occur as a result of which the disruption management organization loses sight of the current personnel deployment. This can lead to errors in crew rescheduling and possibly to the cancellation of trains because crew have not been organized in a timely fashion. The authors report on an investigation conducted to address this problem. The research and development project was undertaken by NSR and the engineering firm Movares to develop a method for the automated detection of train crew on trains. The project developed a system that combined GSM technology and train monitoring (via the infrastructure) that automatically detects which train crew members are located in which train. In the spring of 2009, the system underwent testing that determined that it is possible on the basis of cell ID data and train position data to detect, in real time and with a reliability of 99%, which train crew members are where. The authors conclude with a brief set of recommendations for future work on this system.