New Rail Technology Signal and Train Control Systems

1. New Rail TechnologySignal and Train Control Systems Bill Petit www.billpetit.com Railway Age Conference December 12, 2008

2. What I’ll Talk About • How we got where we are • Issues affecting application of new technology • Overview of new technology applications • Particularly PTC – Whatever that means

3. How We got here – History of Train Control Part 1

4. Track Warrant Control (Dark Territory) • Movement Authority conveyed by track warrant – Permission to occupy a “Block” of track • Verbal communication

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Issues Affecting new technology applications • Cost • Reliability • Environmental • Safety • Low probability, high consequence • 1000’s of units in the field • 30 + year lifetime

9. What Do I Mean by Safety • System Designed to correctly perform all operational requirements under normal conditions • System Designed to correctly perform all operational requirements under adverse conditions (environmental, system stress)

10. What Do I Mean by Safety • System 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

11. 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

12. New Technology Systems

13. 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)

14. 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

15. Enabling Technologies • Increased Processing Power • Ability to support other enabling technologies

16. Technology Examples

17. Electronic Train Management System (ETMS) • Implemented on BNSF on pilot projects • Safety plan approved by FRA for use as an overlay system • Existing system must be maintained and used for safety • Based on Forms-Based (train order) architecture)

18. Track Warrant Control (Dark Territory) • 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.

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

20. Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES) • In-Service on Amtrak NorthEast Corridor • Based on Cab Signal Architecture. • Utilizes existing cab signal • Adds onboard database of civil and infrastructure data • Transponders used for position location.

21. Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES) • Train separation and operating speed obtained from existing cab signal infrastructure • Civil speeds enforced from onboard database • Positive stop enforced with data from onboard database • i.e. length of block, grade, curve, etc.

22. Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES) • Temporary Speed Restrictions conveyed by radio from office and enforced based on onboard database.

23. MCP Radio Antenna Advanced Display Unit ACSES box (Vital on-board Computer) Transponder Reader and CTV box Axle generator ACSES - The Equipment Train borne …plus radio set(s) cables, serial links, brackets, connections to train brakes...

24. Incremental Train Control System (ITCS) • In revenue service on Michigan HSR corridor and in China • Uses cab signal based architecture • Michigan – uses existing wayside infrastructure • China – uses “virtual” blocks and signals

28. Interoperable Communication-Based Signaling (ICBS) • Industry effort to provide standards for interoperability based on a signaling-based architecture • Supported by Alstom, GETS, Safetran and US&S • Initial set of standards approved and published in current version of AREMA Manual of Recommended Practices for Communication and Signaling

29. ICBS Project • Demonstration project in process funded by FRA • Supported by Alstom, GETS, Safetran and US&S

30. What we set out to do • Define 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.

31. What we did • Agreed 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

32. Basic Territory for each supplier to simulate

33. Overall Territory with Each Supplier covering One Section GETS Safetran US&S Alstom

35. Representation of Overall Test Layout

36. GETS SLP Equipment Rack • 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 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

37. GETS OBLP Equipment Rack • 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 ITCS Locomotive Display Vehicle Simulator & Diagnostic Terminal • Locomotive Interface Panel • Acknowledgement Input • Reverser Handle Input • In/Out Mode Switch • 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)

38. Alstom ICBS SLP and WA Equipment Rack Ethernet Hub VPI Power and VRD Relays VPI2 SLP WA Local Panel VPI2 WA Power Supply

39. Questions ? Bill.Petit@ieee.org www.billpetit.com