New Rail TechnologySignal and Train Control

SystemsBill Petit

www.billpetit.comRailway Age Conference

December 12, 2008

What I’ll Talk About

How we got where we areIssues affecting application of new technologyOverview of new technology applications Particularly PTC – Whatever that

means

How We got here – History of Train Control Part 1

Track Warrant Control(Dark Territory)

Track Warrant Authority Limits

•Movement Authority conveyed by track warrant – Permission to occupy a “Block” of track•Verbal communication

Automatic Block Signal (ABS)

•Two main tracks, each with an assigned direction of movement•Movement authority and operating speed conveyed by signal system•Tracks are signaled only for movement in assigned direction•Train separation and operating speed information provided by signal system

Train Control System (TCS)(or cTc)

•Multiple main tracks, each signaled for traffic in both directions•Movement authority and operating speed conveyed by signal system•Train dispatcher controls switches and signals from distant location

TCS with Cab Signals and Speed Control

•Multiple Main Tracks, each signaled for traffic in both directions•Movement authority and operating speed conveyed by signal system with information sent through the rails•Train dispatcher controls switches and signals from distant location•Train separation and speed limit provided by train crew and •onboard equipment

Issues Affecting new technology applications

CostReliabilityEnvironmentalSafety Low probability, high consequence 1000’s of units in the field 30 + year lifetime

What Do I Mean by SafetySystem Designed to correctly perform all operational requirements under normal conditionsSystem Designed to correctly perform all operational requirements under adverse conditions (environmental, system stress)

What Do I Mean by SafetySystem does not provide more permissive outputs under failure conditions System or subsystem All single point self-revealing failures Latent (secondary) failures for non-

self-revealing failures

Particular Issues with processor-based systems

Failures are non-linear Single transistor failure within IC

leads to an unknowable result. (weak-link behavior)

Complexity

Over-reliance on redundancy

New Technology Systems

Enabling Technologies

Position Locating Systems Vehicle determines its own position,

instead of relying on operator reporting or track circuits Transponders Satellite Locating Systems (e.g GPS)

Enabling Technologies

Mobile Data Communications Ability to transmit increased amounts

of data Ability to track mobile node through

the system Can be used to convey information to

the engineer in ways other than verbal (written) orders, wayside signals or cab signals

Enabling Technologies

Increased Processing Power Ability to support other enabling

technologies

Technology Examples

Electronic Train Management System (ETMS)

Implemented on BNSF on pilot projectsSafety plan approved by FRA for use as an overlay system Existing system must be maintained

and used for safetyBased on Forms-Based (train order) architecture)

Track Warrant Control(Dark Territory)

Track Warrant Authority Limits

•Train Orders conveyed verbally and repeated for confirmation (i.e. no change)

•Plan to send digital version of text for onboard display but not approved yet.

•Train orders encoded digitally at office and sent to locomotive (unseen by engineer) and enforced by onboard system based on GPS location.•Also capable of reading status of existing wayside signals and enforcing them.

Electronic Train Management System (ETMS)Class I railroads are moving ahead with this architecture CSX – CBTM UP – V-TMS NS - OTC

Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES)

In-Service on Amtrak NorthEast CorridorBased on Cab Signal Architecture.Utilizes existing cab signal Adds onboard database of civil and infrastructure dataTransponders used for position location.

Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES)

Train separation and operating speed obtained from existing cab signal infrastructureCivil speeds enforced from onboard databasePositive stop enforced with data from onboard database i.e. length of block, grade, curve, etc.

Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES)

Temporary Speed Restrictions conveyed by radio from office and enforced based on onboard database.

ACSES - The EquipmentMCPRadio

AntennaAdvanced Display Unit

…plus radio set(s) cables, serial links, brackets, connections to train brakes...

TransponderReader and

CTV box

Train borne

ACSES box(Vital on-board

Computer)

Axle generator

Incremental Train Control System (ITCS)

In revenue service on Michigan HSR corridor and in ChinaUses cab signal based architecture Michigan – uses existing wayside

infrastructure China – uses “virtual” blocks and

signals

Interoperable Communication-Based Signaling (ICBS)

Industry effort to provide standards for interoperability based on a signaling-based architectureSupported by Alstom, GETS, Safetran and US&SInitial set of standards approved and published in current version of AREMA Manual of Recommended Practices for Communication and Signaling

ICBS Project

Demonstration project in process funded by FRA Supported by Alstom, GETS, Safetran

and US&S

What we set out to doDefine Interoperability for a PTC system based on signaling principles Complete system providing stand-alone ability

to set and protect routes, deliver onboard authorities in terms of aspects, enforce onboard authorities including civil speed and pre-emptive braking (positive stop)

Focus on train control Work with interoperable comms system per RESC Basic system defined with ability to add additional

functionality as needed.

What we didAgreed to and published architecture and interoperability recommended practices through a Professional Industry Association (AREMA)Through FRA and Private (supplier) funding Defined Test Layout to incorporate multiple

suppliers Developed Communications Router and Simulators

for Test Environment Substituted 2 sets of suppliers equipment for one of

the simulators 3rd supplier to be integrated next week

Basic Territory for each supplier to simulate

3-10

1-10

2-10

3-20

1-20 1-401-30 1-50 1-60 1-70 1-901-80 1-100 1-110 1-120

2-20 2-30 2-40 2-50 2-60 2-70 2-80 2-90 2-100 2-110

2-120

2-130

Territory to be controlled

Territory broken into virtual blocks withvirtual signals added - layout depends on

operational needs

3-10

1-10

2-10

3-201-20 1-401-30 1-50 1-60 1-70 1-901-80 1-100 1-110 1-120

2-20 2-30 2-40 2-50 2-60 2-70 2-80 2-90 2-100 2-1102-120

2-130

3-10

1-10

2-10

3-201-20 1-401-30 1-50 1-60 1-70 1-901-80 1-100 1-110 1-120

2-20 2-30 2-40 2-50 2-60 2-70 2-80 2-90 2-100 2-1102-120

2-130

3-10

1-10

2-10

3-201-20 1-401-30 1-50 1-60 1-70 1-901-80 1-100 1-110 1-120

2-20 2-30 2-40 2-50 2-60 2-70 2-80 2-90 2-100 2-1102-120

2-130

3-10

1-10

2-10

3-201-20 1-401-30 1-50 1-60 1-70 1-901-80 1-100 1-110 1-120

2-20 2-30 2-40 2-50 2-60 2-70 2-80 2-90 2-100 2-1102-120

2-130

GETS

Safetran

US&S

Alstom

Overall Territory with Each Supplier covering One Section

RRR = 050, LLL = 001GETS Wayside

RRR = 050, LLL = 002SSC Wayside

RRR = 620, LLL = 001US&S Wayside

GETS SLP SSC SLP US&S SLP

Comms Simulator

CAD Simulator

Vehicle Simulator

Vehicle Simulator

Vehicle Simulator

GETS OBLP

Alstom OBLP

US&S OBLP

GETS WASSC WA US&S WA

Switch Panel(8 switches)

Switch Panel(8 switches)

Switch Panel(8 switches)

WA Simulator for > 8 inlputs

8 lines8 lines8 lines

Controls and Indications

Interoperable MessageFormats

Interoperable MessageFormats

Alstom WA

Switch Panel(8 switches)

8 lines

RRR = 620, LLL = 002Alstom Wayside

Alstom SLP

Representation of Overall Test Layout

SLP (GETS VHLC)• Interfaces to Genisys Control Office• Processes Signaling Logic• Interfaces to SLP Protocol Converter

• Receives Block Statuses• Transmits Switch & Signal Statuses

• Interfaces to WA for Switch Control

GETS SLP Equipment Rack

Diagnostic Terminal

SLP Protocol Converter• Converts Between GE and ICBS Messaging• Uses ICBS Database for Status Mapping• Transmits Block Statuses to GE SLP• Receives Switch & Signal Statuses from GE SLP• Interfaces to Comm. Router (ICBS Network)

WA (GETS VHLC)• Interfaces to SLP

• Receives Switch Control Statuses from SLP• Transmits Switch Position Statuses to SLP

OBLP (GETS ITCS Onboard Computer)• Location Determination Using ITCS Equivalent

Database• Enforces Targets• Interfaces to OBLP Protocol Converter

• Transmits Block Statuses• Receives Switch & Signal Statuses

• Interfaces to Vehicle Simulator & Loco Interface Panel

GETS OBLP Equipment Rack

Vehicle Simulator & Diagnostic Terminal

OBLP Protocol Converter• Converts Between GE and ICBS Messaging• Uses ICBS Database for Status Mapping• Receives Block Statuses from OBLP• Transmits Switch & Signal Statuses to OBLP• Interfaces to Comm. Router (ICBS Network)

Locomotive Interface Panel• Acknowledgement Input• Reverser Handle Input• In/Out Mode Switch

GETS ITCS Locomotive Display

Alstom ICBS SLP and WA Equipment Rack

Power Supply

VPI2 WA

WA Local Panel

VPI2 SLP

VPI Power andVRD Relays

Ethernet Hub

Questions ?Bill.Petit@ieee.orgwww.billpetit.com