Railway Traffic Control Devices Research Articles

Innovative procedures for driving an electric locomotive

This article offers a historical overview of railway traffic control devices used in the past. They laid the foundations for the construction of further, improved devices that have a decisive impact on the safety of railway traffic. Shape signaling is discussed, which with minor changes is still widely used around the world. Attention is also paid to traffic lights and a comparison of traffic lights in force in Poland and the Germany is provided. The article then discusses train traffic management based on semi-automatic and automatic blocking. The work presents two safety systems of conducting rail traffic: the SHP system (Automatic Braking of a Train) and the PZB system (intermittent automatic train running control). A significant part of the work is devoted to the ETCS system being implemented throughout Europe and beyond. The principle of operation, supervision levels and operating modes of the system are characterized. The style of driving a train and its impact on energy consumption is also discussed. This leads to a consideration of whether changes in the style of driving can, in practice, bring measurable effects in the form of energy savings.

Selected aspects of the diagnostic process in rail transport

The article presents selected results of research in the area of reducing the risk of defects in railway infrastructure and traffic control devices. The first part of the article will discuss selected topics used in a defectoscope car for automated ultrasonic rail inspections related to the identification of joints and flaws. A method based on the identification of joints and flaws using a neural network will be presented. The second part of the article will cover research on the automatic collection of diagnostic data from railway traffic control devices. The solutions presented concern a simulator of railway traffic control device malfunctions, from which data is extracted to populate a database of malfunctions and then used in the inference process. The article will present partial results of research on both systems.

Increasing the Readiness of Railway Traffic Control Devices Using a Functional Test Generation Method

Railway traffic control (RTC) equipment are technical devices developed for maintaining the safety of rail vehicle traffic operation, and must satisfy certain requirements related to a specific level of traffic safety and effectiveness. They are designed to ensure operational reliability under the intended application conditions throughout their entire service life. Regardless of their type and kind, however, they must behave in accordance with the assumed functional rules and requirements. This is why periodic tests of their correct operation are so crucial. Functional tests are applied to this end. They are employed in the course of device design and approval for use as well as in equipment operational diagnostics. Previous methods for generating test sets and their processing have been intuitive and often rely on the experience of testers that have been acquired in the course of implementing other tests. Such tests may be incomplete or fail to take into account all studied functions. Therefore, this article presents a proprietary method for generating functional tests covering railway traffic control devices that improve their readiness. The authors describe a test determination procedure algorithm and specify the conditions to be met by a test set and by optimization criteria. The article ends with a computer-based exemplification of the developed functional test generation method.

Safe device solutions in railway traffic control systems

The paper deals with the problems of safe solutions of railway traffic control systems, using the example of modern solutions of protection systems applied at railway level crossings. The need for reliable, modern and safe railway traffic control devices has forced manufacturers in the railway industry to use high quality microprocessors in their structures. Devices used to safety traffic at intersections of railroads and roadways in one level shall be absolutely operational and reliable. Such solutions are the modern systems of automatic level crossing signaling made in computer technology. They use structural redundancy, programmable logic controllers, and have extensive self-diagnostic and technical diagnostic mechanisms. The paper presents selected analyses of railway traffic safety on the example of the automatic level crossing of system BUES 2000 type by Scheidt & Bachmann.

Propaedeutic of the methodology of improving electromagnetic compatibility of railway traffic control systems in relation to the implementation of the EMC4CCS - BRIK project

The purpose of this article is to introduce to the methodology of increasing electromagnetic compatibility in distributed system, on the example of the implementation of works in the field: "Research and improvement of electromagnetic compatibility of railway traffic control devices and rolling stock", which are the subject of the BRIK project. The methodology is defined here as a set of rules for conducting research in order to achieve an intended goal. The article proposes a procedure to improve the EMC condition of distributed systems. For monitoring the quality of the system operation in terms of electromagnetic compatibility, the implementation of the OEE indicator was suggested.

The Risk of Lightning Losses in a Structure Equipped with RTC Devices According to the Standard EN 62305-2.2008

Incorrect adjustment of railway traffic control devices (rtc) to the specificity of the area in terms of lightning density may result in their damage by lightning-caused electromagnetic pulses. An associated risk assessment, as the standard in the analyses of the strength of rtc devices, should be made. However, manufacturers of rtc devices typically do not perform tests with respect to such high overvoltage conditions. Particularly in the case of the EN 62305-2 standard, the manufacturers of new rail traffic control devices usually do not carry out such analyses. In this paper, an analysis of the damage vulnerability of rtc devices caused by lightning discharges for a selected structure, including a signal box equipped with digital rtc devices is presented. The necessity of conducting a lightning damage vulnerability analysis for rtc devices is demonstrated. A part of the railway track where lightning discharges occur was analyzed. The results of the risk analysis obtained with the use of the DEHN Risk Tool software and based on the standard EN 62305-2 (2008, Lightning protection. Part 2. Risk management) are presented. Due to the fact that railway devices are not included in the current standard, three documents were adopted for the analysis: two editions of EN/IEC 62305-2 (from 2008 and 2012) and the recommendations of the ITU-International Telecommunication Union ITU-T K.39 (10/1996). The presented analysis is performed according to the 2008 standard version and to the chosen device.

Issues of Railway Traffic Control Devices Availability in the Exploitation Process

Abstract This article focuses exclusively on the issues of railway traffic control devices availability in traffic management. One of the factors affecting this availability are tests conducted during maintenance or repair works. A review of the literature in the field of test determination methods was conducted. Next, the railway traffic control system was described and the elements influencing availability were defined. Assumptions and an algorithm of the procedure were presented and the method of determining the tests was proposed.

Adaptation of the PKP PLK S.A. Train Light Signaling to Higher Number of Signal Aspects

The article discusses the train signaling system developed in OSŻD. The traffic light signaling currently used on the network managed by PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. (Polish Railway Lines) is also described. A proposal of traffic light signals is presented, enabling the transmission of information on travel speeds on the turning tracks of turnouts operated on the PKP PLK S.A. network. The proposed signaling has been developed based on OSŻD (in Rus. Организация со-трудничества железных дорог – ОСЖД) signaling. The number of signals needed was obtained by introducing a second yellow light strip and optionally two different flashing frequencies. Keywords: railway signaling, signaling for trains, lineside signals, railway traffic control devices

Functional Testing of Railway Traffic Control Device

The article presents the problems of functional tests of railway traffic control devices. The purpose and scope of the tests as well as the impact of testing on the SRK devices are presented. The methodology of selecting tests depending on the scope of research is proposed. For this purpose, the SRK devices were analyzed for functional and diagnostic properties. Keywords: functional tests, railway traffic control devices, tests

Method of importing operational data of railway traffic control devices into the database

Railway control devices are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of railway traffic. Despite the continuous development of these devices, like other technical solutions, they are being damaged. However, since railway control devices are safety-related, they are not only required to be reliable, but also to be free from unacceptable risks. The very large number of control devices, the variety of their types, the variety of technical solutions, as well as the specific failure rate make it very difficult to ensure the efficiency of these equipment. Therefore, their operation must be supported by technical diagnostics. Information obtained as a result of technical diagnostics about changes in the technical condition of devices is stored in specific data sets. However, in the case of individual railway lines plants of PKP PLK S.A. these are most often Excel spreadsheets of Microsoft Office. The authors of the article proposed to transfer these data to the MS SQL relational database with the use of proprietary software developed for this purpose.

Selection of exploitation data from railway traffic control devices for the purposes of gathering and analyzing data processes from railway transport objects

The evaluation of the technical systems reliability and safety requires collecting and processing of reliable data which characterizes the processes. The data from current exploitation is particularly important for decision-making processes. It can be used for creation of occurring exploitation phenomena models and allows to determine the expected object behaviour in the future. The railway traffic control devices often work in very difficult exploitation and environmental conditions. The information about their technical condition can be gathered and used for a proper prophylaxis as well as a predictive maintenance of railway traffic. It will allow to choose a maintenance strategy which will consist in optimal use of railway traffic control devices.

Modelling of exploitation process of the railway traffic control device

The basic purpose of railway traffic control devices is to ensure a high level of safety of moving trains on the railway network. The railway traffic control devices often work in difficult environmental conditions and are exposed to external interference. These circumstances require continuous analysis of the state of the railway traffic control system. With time, the system's technical condition deteriorates. When its technical condition is not satisfactory it is necessary to operate it and renew its state of use. The rational implementation of exploitation tasks of the railway traffic control system allows the introduction of mathematical modeling methods into exploitation tests. Using the mathematical model of the exploitation process of the railway traffic control system, it is possible to forecast e.g. reliability indicators of its individual objects. Knowledge of exploitation parameters should be used in making decisions in the process of managing the exploitation of the railway traffic control devices.

Railway Construction Investments in Poland – Selected Issues

Rail transport generates lower external costs related to environmental pollution in comparison to other means of transport. Sustainable development and environmentally friendly attitudes are increasingly used in present construction projects. Railway investments usually involve large projects in the field of transport infrastructure (megaprojects in transport infrastructure). Construction and modernization encompasses railway lines and overhead lines, engineering structures, buildings and railway traffic control devices. In the case of railway projects, numerous different risk factors that are not reflected in other construction projects may exist. Such investments typically generate high costs and require appropriate methods to manage risk factors. Effective project management relies primarily on the precise recognition of its characteristics, existing conditions as well as political and economic situation in its environment. The paper describes mechanisms related to implementation of railway construction investments in Poland in the context of the financial perspective planned for 2014 - 2020 period. In addition, formal and legal environment existing on the railway market has been analysed.

Modeling of the operation of the reserve source of electric energy of railway traffic control devices

The article presents issues related to the problem of modeling the work of a reserve source of electric energy for railway traffic control devices. The problems of srk devices and the construction and concept of powering them into electricity were outlined. The basic part presents a simulation model of the operation of a generator set, used as a reserve power source. Modifications of the model to work in the most important operating conditions are shown. The results of simulation calculations are presented.

Diagnostics of railway traffic control devices working on the railway line

Railway traffic control devices are working on railway lines in different, often extreme exploitation conditions. The technical condition of these devices have an immense impact on the safety of passengers traveling by train and throughput of the railway line. Diagnostics of railway traffic control devices is very important. Continuously identification and observation of their damage allows for an effective removal and elimination of existing failures.

Failures simulator of railway traffic control devices

Railway traffic control systems may have different working conditions. It results from their destruction process, which is related to the age of the devices, intensity of their operation or technical service quality. Operating tests are the source of valuable knowledge that allows not only to perfect the construction of railway traffic control devices, but also to control the operating process. In order to do that IT tools are developed, supporting the diagnostic process. What can be helpful in testing these tools can be, proposed by the authors of the article, a failures simulator dedicated to railway traffic control devices.

Support making decisions in the exploitation process of railway traffic control devices

The increasing safety requirements for the railway traffic control devices cause that the issue of rational decision making in the management of applied devices operation process become more and more important. The management includes activities necessary for the effective implementation of the operation process and also the ability to the action purpose clarification, the necessary resources preparation, the work plan arrangement and control of their implementation. The implementation each of the indicated functions requires a decision making complicated from a human.

The Maintenance Scheduling Issues of Railway Traffic Control Systems with Respect to Reliability

Abstract Railway traffic control is based on specialized devices that are designed to exclude collision runs that may lead to loss of safety. A research issue arises in the context of determining effective maintenance intervals and the manner of conducting a technical service policy for existing devices. The aim of the article is to determine the structure of reliability research of selected railway traffic control devices in the aspect of device structure, the current strategy and the state of knowledge on service strategies. The article describes railway traffic control devices to discuss the issue of scheduling technical maintenance of this type of system.

Diagnostics of railway control devices

Railway traffic control is performed by the man with the use of specific technical means. Technical development and wide functionality of railway traffic control systems contribute to the fact that one deals with many types of devices, created with the help of various technologies. That is why the maintenance of the devices and systems presents a big challenge for railway infrastructure administrators, and it needs to be supported by technical diagnostics. The need for diagnostics of railway traffic control devices results from their destruction process which is related to their lifespan, use intensity, technical service quality or operation quality level. Gathered in the diagnostics process information concerning changes of the technical condition of the devices allow effective restoring to their original state thanks to regeneration. That is why academic research is being carried out and actions connected to implementing new diagnostic methods in the railway traffic control area are taken. The article presents chosen railway traffic control devices diagnostic systems.

Analysis of the technical condition of railway traffic control devices using on Polish railways

The article presents the analysis of the current technical condition of railway traffic control devices. Their technical condition, method of exploitation and maintenance have a significant impact both on the safety, efficiency of railway transport and the process of train movements on railway lines in Poland.