Abstract
Nowadays, train control in-lab simulation tools play a crucial role in reducing extensive and expensive on-site railway testing activities. In this paper, we present our contribution in this arena by detailing the internals of our European Railway Train Management System in-lab demonstrator. This demonstrator is built over a general-purpose simulation framework, Riverbed Modeler, previously Opnet Modeler. Our framework models both ERTMS subsystems, the Automatic Train Protection application layer based on movement authority message exchange and the telecommunication subsystem based on GSM-R communication technology. We provide detailed information on our modelling strategy. We also validate our simulation framework with real trace data. To conclude, under current industry migration scenario from GSM-R legacy obsolescence to IP-based heterogeneous technologies, our simulation framework represents a singular tool to railway operators. As an example, we present the assessment of related performance indicators for a specific railway network using a candidate replacement technology, LTE, versus current legacy technology. To the best of our knowledge, there is no similar initiative able to measure the impact of the telecommunication subsystem in the railway network availability.
Highlights
The European Commission in partnership with the European Railway Industry has just set up the SHIFT2RAIL joint undertaking in clear response to the increasing demands for higher capacity and higher performance in this domain
The European Railway Train Management System (ERTMS) is a standardized train control system consisting of two subsystems: the European Train Control System (ETCS)—the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system—and GSM-Railway (GSM-R) as the standardized digital radio communication system based on Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)
In order to validate the correct operation of the simulation framework, we generate a detailed log that contains all the ETCS messages exchanged between every train and the Radio Block Centre (RBC) during the simulation
Summary
The European Commission in partnership with the European Railway Industry has just set up the SHIFT2RAIL joint undertaking in clear response to the increasing demands for higher capacity and higher performance in this domain. The ultimate goal of our research activity is to reduce the cost of validation and verification in the development of current and future railway train control systems In this sense, a significant effort is to be dedicated to the construction of the European Railway Train Management System (ERTMS) in-lab tools. Our contribution in this paper is to build the first, to the best of our knowledge, train control simulation framework that includes both ERTMS subsystems: the ATP system plus the complete communication technology protocol stack. This simulation framework is focused on simulating current ERTMS and new ERTMS proposals based on IP and newer wireless technologies.
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