AU2020244571B2

AU2020244571B2 - Fixed block railway signaling system

Info

Publication number: AU2020244571B2
Application number: AU2020244571A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ashish UPADHYAY
Original assignee: Alstom Holdings SA
Current assignee: Alstom Holdings SA
Priority date: 2019-10-09
Filing date: 2020-10-02
Publication date: 2026-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2040-10-02
Also published as: AU2020244571A1

Abstract

11 FIXED BLOCK RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM An improved fixed-block railway signaling system comprises classical optical railway signals and radiofrequency identification (RFID) trackside transponder devices in two-way communication over a radio link with an on-board RFID communication device located inside a railway vehicle and coupled to a human-machine interface of said railway vehicle for displaying a corresponding duplicated railway signal. The on-board RFID device communication is also able to communicate wirelessly with a trackside unit operatively coupled with a level crossing controller to automatically initiate a closing sequence of the level crossing when the railway vehicle is approaching a level crossing. Figure : 1 11 Oct 2020 2020244571 02

Description

1/1 1/1

4 4

5 2020244571 02

CONTROL CONTROL CENTER CENTER 20 2020244571

22 8 8 6 6 26 26 RFID RFID 28 READER RFID CLASSICAL TRAIN BEACON SIGNAL RFID HMI DEVICE 2 2 24

RAILWAY RAILWAY

FIG.1

8 8 30 32 32

5 26 26

TRAIN TRAIN LEVEL RFID TRACKSIDE LEVEL RFID TRACKSIDE CROSSING DEVICE UNIT UNIT CROSSING DEVICE CONTROLLER CONTROLLER

FIG.2

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a fixed-block railway signaling system.

BACKGROUND 5 Railway signaling systems are used to control railway traffic, essentially to prevent trains running on a same railway from colliding. In fixed-block railway signaling systems, a railway line is divided along its length into several blocks having a fixed position, and the 2020244571

occupancy of each block is regulated by means of signals, usually optical signals, aimed at the train’s driver and mounted on fixed poles along the railway. 10 A drawback is that in some situations, a driver may ignore a displayed signal, e.g. due to poor visibility caused by bad weather, which may lead to catastrophic accidents with other trains. Various automated fixed-block railway signaling systems have been proposed over time to make railways safer. However, mass deployment of such systems over entire 15 existing railway networks and rolling stock fleets is hampered by technical, practical and economical limitations.

SUMMARY An embodiment of the present invention seeks to provide improvements in railway 20 signaling systems. Alternatively or additionally, an embodiment of the invention seeks to at least provide the public with a useful choice. A railway signaling system according to invention comprises: a control center, 25 one or several classical optical railway signals controlled by the control center, one or several radiofrequency identification (RFID) trackside transponder devices controlled by the control center, an on-board RFID communication device located inside a railway vehicle circulating on the railway line and adapted to communicate with the RFID 30 trackside transponder devices over a wireless radiofrequency link, wherein said RFID trackside transponder devices are each associated to one of the classical optical railway signals and are programmed to emit wirelessly a message representative of a railway signal information displayed by the classical optical railway signal to which they are associated, 35 wherein said on-board RFID communication device is operatively coupled to a human-machine interface of said railway vehicle, said human-machine interface being

adapted to display a visual representation of a railway signal information to a driver of said railway vehicle, wherein the on-board RFID communication device is programmed to decode the or each message received from one of the RFID trackside transponder devices and, if said 5 message includes railway signal information data, is programmed to command the display of a graphical representation of said signal information on said human-machine interface. According to advantageous aspects, the invention comprises one or more of the 2020244571

following features, considered alone or according to all possible technical combinations: The system further comprises one or several RFID trackside units each coupled to a 10 level crossing controller, and the on-board RFID communication device is able to communicate wirelessly with the trackside unit in order to automatically initiate a closing sequence of the level crossing when the railway vehicle moves towards the level crossing and reaches a threshold distance ahead of the level crossing. The on-board RFID communication device is configured to emit messages including 15 railway vehicle identification information. The railway signaling system is a fixed block railway signaling system, and said one or several classical optical railway signals is/are associated to blocks of a railway line defined by the signaling system. The on-board RFID device is programmed so that if several RFID trackside 20 transponder devices are within the range of the on-board RFID device, then the corresponding signals are displayed automatically on said HMI. The range for communication between a RFID trackside transponder device and the on-board RFID device is equal to or higher than one meter. The RF link between RFID trackside transponder devices and on-board RFID 25 devices relies on radio waves having a frequency included in the 865-867 MHz spectrum band. The communication protocol used for sending and receiving messages between RFID trackside transponder devices and on-board RFID devices is according to the EPCGen2 specification. 30 The RFID trackside transponder devices include a protective housing sealed against dust and humidity with a protection level equal to or higher than IP65.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of a 35 non-limiting exemplary embodiment made in reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a fixed-block railway signaling system. FIG. 2 is a diagram of a fixed-block railway signaling implementation for managing railway level crossings.

5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a railway 2 with a fixed-block railway signaling system including a control center 4 and fixed signal poles or towers 6 (of which only one example 2020244571

is drawn) for controlling the traffic of trains 8 circulating on the railway line 2. It is to be noted that in this specification, the word “train” encompasses many types 10 of railway vehicles, such as passenger trains, freight trains, electric multiple units, light rail vehicles, monorails and subways, as well as railway service vehicles. In one example, the control center 4 includes an electronic control unit (such as a computer-based control unit or a relay-based control unit) connected to signals 6 for setting each signal 6 to a given signal state, e.g. depending on the state of traffic on the 15 railway 2, such as the occupancy status of blocks located ahead of a train 8 on a portion of the railway 2. Each signal 6 includes one or several light-emitting elements, such as lamps or projectors or light-emitting diodes (LED) modules or the like, mounted on a fixed pole located close to the railway 2 so as to be seen from afar by an incoming train. 20 The individual elements can be controlled independently (color, on/off status, permanent or intermittent lighting) so that a same signal 6 can display one or several different signals information in turn, such as a stop order, a speed restriction, and the like, e.g. by selectively activating one or several of the light-emitting elements possibly arranged in a specific geometrical pattern, such as: a red light, a double red light, a yellow 25 light, a double yellow light, a green light, either fixed or flashing, or any combination thereof. Signals 6 are known and are thereafter said to be “classical signals”. For example, each signal 6 is able to display one or more conventional railway signals of the Indian Railways. 30 The fixed-block railway signaling system further includes one or several radiofrequency identification (RFID) trackside transponder devices 20 controlled by the control center 4. In one example, each RFID trackside device 20 is associated to a block defined by the signaling system and is therefore associated to the conventional signal 6 associated to 35 said block.

In one embodiment, each RFID trackside device 20 is mounted on a dedicated tower, or mounted on the same pole as the corresponding signal 6, or it can be laid next to the railway track or in the middle of the tracks. In this example, RFID trackside devices 20 work alongside classical signals 6, but in 5 some examples classical signals 6 can be removed. RFID trackside devices 20 are operatively coupled to the control center 4 and are programmed to emit wirelessly a message representative of the railway signal information 2020244571

currently displayed by the classical signal 6 to which they are associated. For example, each RFID trackside device 20 is connected to the control center 4 by 10 a wired link, such as a cable, which can be either dedicated or shared with the cabling of the classical signals 6. Each RFID trackside device 20 includes a RFID reader unit 22 and a RFID beacon unit 24 for communication over a radiofrequency (RF) channel, preferably a short-range communication channel. 15 In one example, each RFID reader unit 22 includes a RF reception antenna coupled to electronic processing circuitry and each RFID beacon unit 24 includes a RF emission antenna coupled to electronic processing circuitry. The fixed-block railway signaling system further includes an on-board RFID communication device 26 located on or inside each train 8 and adapted to communicate 20 with the RFID trackside devices 20 over a wireless RF link. In one embodiment, the on-board RFID communication device 26 includes a RFID receiver, a RFID beacon (or emitter) and an antenna, or preferably a RFID transceiver and an antenna, as well as a dedicated electronic circuit for processing the received RF signals. Preferably, the antenna is mounted on an exterior body of the train. 25 In one example, the on-board RFID communication device 26 is a passive RFID device. For example, the on-board RFID communication device 26 operates like a passive RFID tag, e.g. by sending a RF message including an encoded response only upon reception of an incoming RF message. In another example, the on-board RFID communication device 26 is an active RFID 30 device. For example, the electronic circuit includes means for delivering electrical power to the antenna for sending RF messages. In such embodiments, the electronic circuit may include a central processing unit (CPU) and computer-readable memory storage for storing executable code. In one embodiment, the RFID trackside device 20 includes one or several protective 35 housings sealed against dust and humidity, for example with a protection level equal to or

higher than IP65. For example, the RFID reader unit 22 and the RFID beacon unit 24 are mounted in separate housings. The on-board RFID communication device 26 is operatively coupled to a human- machine interface 28 (HMI) of train 8, said interface 28 being adapted to display data in 5 optical form to a driver of train 8, such as a visual representation of a railway signal information. For example, HMI 28 may include one or more of the following elements: a video 2020244571

screen display (such as a LCD display, a plasma display, an OLED display, a CRT monitor, or the like), one or several indicator lights (such as LED modules or incandescent 10 lights or any equivalent device) preferably mounted on a control panel of train 8, a head- mounted electronic display or a heads-up electronic display, made visible to the train’s 8 driver. The on-board RFID communication device 26 is programmed to decode the or each message received from one of the RFID units 24 and, if said message includes railway 15 signal information data, is programmed to command the display a graphical representation of said signal on HMI 28. For example, a graphical controller of HMI 28 stores predefined signal representation data in memory. Upon reception of a suitable command signal requesting a given signal information to be displayed, said controller selects the appropriate signal 20 representation data and displays the signal information on HMI 28. In another example, the appropriate signal representation data is sent to HMI 28 by the RFID communication device 26. During operation, as the train 8 moves along the railway 2 from block to block and encounters classical signals 6, RFID trackside devices 20 act as repeaters of the classical 25 signals 6 and communicate wirelessly with the on-board RFID communication device 26 in order to have the repeated signal information displayed directly to the driver over HMI 28. If the driver fails to see the signal information displayed on the signal 6, the driver can still rely on the duplicated corresponding signal information displayed on HMI 28 30 onboard the train 8. The risk of missing a signal information is therefore reduced due to this redundancy. The RFID-based communication system can be easily deployed over existing classical fixed block signaling systems as an add-on or overlay. In one example, the RF link between RFID trackside devices 20 and on-board RFID 35 devices 26 relies on radio waves having a frequency included in the 865-867 MHz spectrum band.

In one embodiment, the range for communication between a RFID trackside device 20 and an on-board RFID device 26 is equal to or higher than one meter, or possibly equal to or higher than five meters. In one example, the communication protocol used for sending and receiving 5 messages between RFID trackside devices 20 and on-board RFID devices 26 is according to the EPCGen2 specification, e.g. as defined by the GS1 organization. In some examples, during operation, a two-way communication is established 2020244571

between the on-board RFID device 26 and one or several RFID trackside devices 20. For example, the on-board RFID device 26 sends radio messages which are then 10 received by the RFID reader unit 22 of one of the RFID trackside devices 20. In response, the RFID reader unit 22 may forward at least part of the received information to the control center 4, e.g. for updating the status of one or more signals 6. The messages (both emitted and received) may be in a so called “Positive Train Identification” format. 15 For example, the messages sent by the RFID trackside devices 20 include one or more predefined data fields having each a variable value encoded in digital form, e.g. in binary form or equivalent. At least, said messages include a signal status variable whose value is representative of the signal state associated to the corresponding block and classical 20 signal 6. This value is a unique identifier associated to a specific signal state chosen among a library of many possible different signal states. Furthermore, said message may include other variable values associated to fields such as: a route indicator (in locations where the train 8 may take one of several possible routes), a signal cancellation order, a speed restriction. 25 In one example, the messages sent by the on-board RFID device 26 include one or more predefined data fields having each a variable value encoded in digital form, e.g. in binary form or equivalent. For example, the messages emitted by the on-board RFID device 26 include train identification information (e.g. in the form of a unique identifier), or track occupancy status 30 information (such as the occupied track number, or the status of the last track circuit encountered). In one aspect, the on-board RFID device 26 is programmed so that if several RFID trackside devices 20 are within the range of the on-board RFID device 26, then the corresponding signals are displayed automatically on HMI 28. 35 In FIG. 2 there is illustrated an aspect of the railway signaling system for commanding a railway crossing located on the railway 2.

In one example, the railway crossing is unmanned and includes one or several motor-driven gates and warning signals aimed at nearby pedestrians and motorists such as sirens or bells and/or warning lights. The system further includes a trackside unit 30 operatively coupled with a level 5 crossing controller 32, e.g. by means of wires or cables. The trackside unit 30 is placed on or next to the tracks of railway 2. For example, the trackside unit 30 is placed ahead of the level crossing (respective 2020244571

to the forward direction of train 8) with a distance to the level crossing chosen so as to allow a complete closing of the level crossing before train 8 reaches the level crossing. 10 The level crossing controller 32 is connected to the motor-driven gates and warning signals and includes electrical and/or electronic circuitry programmed for activating the warning signals and driving the motor to close the gates upon reception of a suitable activation signal delivered by the trackside unit 30. The on-board RFID device 26 of train 8 is able to communicate wirelessly with the 15 trackside unit 30 in order to automatically initiate a closing sequence of the level crossing according to a predefined specification (including closing the gates and activating the warning signals) when train 8 moves towards the level crossing and reaches a threshold distance ahead of the level crossing. In one example, the trackside unit 30 includes a RFID reader and an electronic 20 processing circuit connected to the RFID reader and programmed to automatically activate the level crossing controller 32 upon detection of train 8. The trackside unit 30 can therefore act as a RFID trackside device so that the RFID communication features described previously in reference to RFID trackside units 20 (frequency spectrum, protocols, distance…) are applicable to the trackside unit 30. 25 When a train 8 is incoming, the RFID reader of the trackside unit 30 picks up the RF signal beamed by the antenna of the on-board RFID device 26. Once the train 8 is detected and identified, the built-in circuitry generates an activation message towards the level crossing controller 32 in order to activate a closing sequence. In one embodiment, the trackside unit 30 includes a protective housing sealed 30 against dust and humidity, for example with a protection level equal to or higher than IP65. The detection of train 8 is thus performed wirelessly using RFID. While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various 35 changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, embodiments described above may be combined

with each other without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context 5 requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers 2020244571

or steps. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived 10 from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A railway signaling system comprising: a control center, 5 one or several classical optical railway signals controlled by the control center, one or several radiofrequency identification (RFID) trackside transponder devices controlled by the control center, 2020244571

an on-board RFID communication device located inside a railway vehicle circulating on the railway line and adapted to communicate with the RFID 10 trackside transponder devices over a wireless radiofrequency link, wherein said RFID trackside transponder devices are each associated to one of the classical optical railway signals and are programmed to emit wirelessly a message representative of a railway signal information displayed by the classical optical railway signal to which they are associated, 15 wherein said on-board RFID communication device is operatively coupled to a human-machine interface of said railway vehicle, said human-machine interface being adapted to display a visual representation of a railway signal information to a driver of said railway vehicle, wherein the on-board RFID communication device is programmed to decode the or 20 each message received from one of the RFID trackside transponder devices and, if said message includes railway signal information data, is programmed to command the display of a graphical representation of said signal information on said human-machine interface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises one or several 25 RFID trackside units each coupled to a level crossing controller, and wherein the on-board RFID communication device is able to communicate wirelessly with the trackside unit in order to automatically initiate a closing sequence of the level crossing when the railway vehicle moves towards the level crossing and reaches a threshold distance ahead of the level crossing. 30

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the on-board RFID communication device is configured to emit messages including railway vehicle identification information.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said railway signaling 35 system is a fixed block railway signaling system,

and wherein said one or several classical optical railway signals is/are associated to blocks of a railway line defined by the signaling system.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the on-board RFID 5 device is programmed so that if several RFID trackside transponder devices are within the range of the on-board RFID device, then the corresponding signals information are displayed automatically on said human-machine interface. 2020244571

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the range for 10 communication between a RFID trackside transponder device and the on-board RFID communication device is equal to or higher than one meter.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the RF link between RFID trackside transponder devices and the on-board RFID communication device relies 15 on radio waves having a frequency included in the 865-867 MHz spectrum band.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the communication protocol used for sending and receiving messages between RFID trackside transponder devices and the on-board RFID communication device is according to the EPCGen2 20 specification.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the RFID trackside transponder devices include a protective housing sealed against dust and humidity with a protection level equal to or higher than IP65.