JP7638362B2 - Traffic management system, control device, control method, and control program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a traffic management system, a control device, a control method, and a control program that manage train operations.

Train traffic control systems that manage train operations are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a traffic control system that controls train routes and displays information on passenger information devices at each station to inform passengers of train arrivals and departures.

JP 2019-93906 A

However, because conventional traffic control systems are built for each railway operator, when a railway operator introduces a new traffic control system, it takes time and money to introduce the system. For this reason, for example, railway operators that operate small regional routes may find it difficult to introduce conventional traffic control systems, which are time-consuming and expensive.

This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a traffic management system that can reduce the burden on railway operators when introducing a new traffic management system.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the traffic management system of the present disclosure includes a control device, a plurality of operation devices, and a plurality of interface units. The control device is constructed in a cloud environment and individually manages the operation of trains of a plurality of railway operators. The plurality of operation devices are provided for each of the corresponding railway operators among the plurality of railway operators and are communicatively connected to the control device. The plurality of interface units are connected to the control device via a virtual private network and provided for each of the corresponding railway operators among the plurality of railway operators. The control device includes a network address of an interface unit, among the plurality of interface units, to which information is to be transmitted as a destination network address in the information to be transmitted.

This disclosure has the effect of reducing the burden on railway operators when introducing new traffic management systems.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a traffic management system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of a traffic management system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of TID terminals, interlocking devices, station transmission devices, and IF units corresponding to each railway operator according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an on-board device arranged on a train according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information transmitted and received between a control device according to a first embodiment, a display device, an operation device, an interlocking device, a TID terminal, and an interlocking device; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a control device according to a first embodiment; 1 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by a processing unit of a control device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a sub-control device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a connection relationship between a control room and station-side devices in a traffic control system according to a first embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of processing by a processing unit of a sub-control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of operation management by a control device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in traffic management by the control device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of operation management by a sub-controller according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in traffic management by a sub-control device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of a traffic control system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a portable terminal according to a second embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a control device according to a second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing by a switching processing unit according to a second embodiment; 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a process performed by a switching processing unit of a control device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between a service provider, a railway operator, a cloud service provider, and a maintenance company in a traffic management service by a traffic management system according to a second embodiment.

The traffic management system, control device, control method, and control program according to the embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1.
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a traffic control system according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, a traffic control system 100 according to embodiment 1 includes a control device 1 that individually manages the operation of a train 9 for each of a plurality of railway operators ₂₁ , ₂₂ , and ₂₃ , a plurality of display devices 3, a plurality of operation devices 4, a plurality of railway facilities 5, a plurality of sub-control devices 6, and a terminal device 8.

Each of the railway operators 2 ₁ , 2 ₂ , and 2 ₃ is, for example, a railway operator that operates a small regional line. In the following, when the multiple railway operators 2 ₁ , 2 ₂ , and 2 ₃ are referred to without being individually distinguished, they may be referred to as a railway operator 2. In addition, in the following, the description will be given assuming that there are three railway operators 2 for which the operation of the trains 9 is managed by the control device 1, but the number of railway operators 2 for which the operation of the trains 9 is managed by the control device 1 may be two or four or more.

The control device 1 is provided by a service provider that provides a traffic management service, which is a service that manages the operation of trains 9. Such a control device 1 is constructed in a cloud environment. The cloud environment includes computer resources provided in a cloud service platform. The cloud service platform is provided by a cloud service provider and includes, for example, PaaS (Platform as a Service). Since the control device 1 is constructed in a cloud environment, it is sometimes called a cloud server.

In the traffic management system 100, a display device 3, an operating device 4, railway equipment 5, and a sub-controller 6 are provided for each railway operator 2. The display device 3, the operating device 4, the railway equipment 5, and the sub-controller 6 are, for example, owned by the railway operator 2, but some of these may be provided to the railway operator 2 by a service provider. The display device 3, the operating device 4, and the sub-controller 6 are, for example, located in the control room of each railway operator.

The display device 3 transmits and receives information to and from the control device 1 via the network 7. The network 7 is, for example, a wide area network (WAN) including multiple wireless base stations, but may also be a local area network (LAN) including multiple wireless base stations. The wireless base stations may also be wireless base stations of a mobile communication network, or wireless LAN access points. The information displayed on the display device 3 is, for example, information indicating the operating status of the train 9, and includes information indicating the position of the train 9, the status of the signals, the status of the points, etc.

The operating devices 4 are each connected to the control device 1 via the network 7 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The operating devices 4 are operated, for example, by a dispatcher, and control requests from the dispatcher are input to the operating devices 4. The control requests are requests to control the railway equipment 5. The railway equipment 5 is, for example, an interlocking device that controls the operation of points and signals, etc.

When a command request is sent from the operation device 4, the control device 1 sends a control command corresponding to the command request from the operation device 4 to the railway equipment 5 via the network 7. The railway equipment 5 performs an operation corresponding to the control command from the control device 1.

When the control device 1 is no longer able to manage the operation of the train 9, the sub-control device 6 takes over the operation management of the train 9 from the control device 1. The operation management function of the train 9 by the sub-control device 6 is less powerful than the operation management function of the train 9 by the control device 1. The configuration and operation of the sub-control device 6 will be described in detail later.

The terminal device 8 is managed by a maintenance company and is communicatively connected to the control device 1 via the network 7. The terminal device 8 receives, for example, information transmitted from the control device 1 and displays the received information on a display unit (not shown). The information transmitted from the control device 1 to the terminal device 8 is, for example, information related to the maintenance of the display device 3, the operation device 4, the railway equipment 5, or the sub-control device 6.

The control device 1 causes each display device 3 to individually display information indicating the operating status of trains 9 of a corresponding railway operator among the multiple railway operators 2. The control device 1 also individually controls the corresponding railway equipment among the multiple railway facilities 5 based on a control request transmitted from each operating device 4.

As a result, the traffic control system 100 makes it possible to consolidate the functions of control devices that would previously be owned by multiple railway operators 2 into the same cloud environment and centrally manage them. Therefore, the traffic control system 100 can provide the functions of the control device 1 to each railway operator 2 at a lower cost than if a traffic control system were built individually for each railway operator 2. Therefore, the traffic control system 100 can reduce the burden on, for example, a railway operator 2 that operates a small regional route when introducing a new traffic control system.

The traffic control system 100 will be described in more detail below. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the traffic control system according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the traffic control system 100 includes a display device 3, an operation device 4, a sub-control device 6, a plurality of TID (Traffic Information Display) terminals 31, an interlocking device 32, and a plurality of station transmission devices 75 provided in correspondence with each of the railway operators ₂₁ , ₂₂ , and ₂₃ .

The display device 3, the operation device 4, and the sub-control device 6 are arranged, for example, in the control room of each railway operator 2. The TID terminal 31, the interlocking device 32, and the station transmission device 75 are arranged on the station side. The station side is not limited to inside the station building or station premises, but includes the area around the station. The interlocking device 32 is included in the railway facilities 5. The TID terminal 31 and the display device 3 are each an example of a display device. The station transmission device 75 is connected between the interlocking device 32 and each of the TID terminals 31 and the control device 1, and performs processes such as relaying communications between the interlocking device 32 and each of the TID terminals 31 and the control device 1.

The TID terminal 31 receives information such as the train number, current position, and delay time of the train 9 from the control device 1, and displays the received information. The TID terminal 31 and the interlocking device 32 are arranged, for example, at each station of the railway operator 2.

The TID terminal 31 and interlocking device 32 provided corresponding to the railway operator _2-1 are communicatively connected to an IF (Interface) unit _71-1 communicatively connected to the control device 1 via a station transmission device 75 and a VPN (Virtual Private Network) _73-1 . Similarly, the TID terminal 31 and interlocking device 32 provided corresponding to the railway operator _2-2 are communicatively connected to an IF unit _71-2 communicatively connected to the control device 1 via a station transmission device 75 and a VPN _73-2 . The TID terminal 31 and interlocking device 32 provided corresponding to the railway operator _2-3 are communicatively connected to an IF unit _71-3 communicatively connected to the control device 1 via the station transmission device 75 and a VPN _73-3 .

Each of the IF units ₇₁₁ , ₇₁₂ , and ₇₁₃ is arranged corresponding to a corresponding one of the railway operators ₂₁ , ₂₂ , and ₂₃ , and is also called an access point. The IF units ₇₁₁ , ₇₁₂ , and ₇₁₃ are connected to a corresponding one of the VPNs ₇₃₁ , ₇₃₂ , and _733. Each of the IF units ₇₁₁ , ₇₁₂ , and ₇₁₃ is communicatively connected to a transmission device (not shown) installed in a station, for example.

VPNs _73-1 , _73-2 , and _73-3 are constructed in the network 7. Hereinafter, when IF units _71-1 , _71-2 , and _71-3 are indicated without being individually distinguished, they may be described as IF unit 71, and when VPNs _73-1 , _73-2 , and _73-3 are indicated without being individually distinguished, they may be described as VPN 73. Note that IF unit 71 and VPN 73 may be provided corresponding to each station.

Further, the display device 3, operation device 4, and sub-control device 6 provided corresponding to the railway operator _2-1 are communicatively connected to an IF unit _72-1 which is communicatively connected to the control device 1 via a VPN _74-1 . Similarly, the display device 3, operation device 4, and sub-control device 6 provided corresponding to the railway operator _2-2 are communicatively connected to an IF unit _72-2 which is communicatively connected to the control device 1 via a VPN _74-2 . The display device 3, operation device 4, and sub-control device 6 provided corresponding to the railway operator _2-3 are communicatively connected to an IF unit _72-3 which is communicatively connected to the control device 1 via a VPN _74-3 .

Each of the IF units ₇₂₁ , ₇₂₂ , and ₇₂₃ is arranged corresponding to a corresponding one of the railway operators ₂₁ , ₂₂ , and ₂₃ , and is also called an access point. The VPNs ₇₄₁ , ₇₄₂ , and ₇₄₃ are constructed in the network 7. Hereinafter, when the IF units ₇₂₁ , ₇₂₂ , and ₇₂₃ are shown without being individually distinguished, they may be described as an IF unit 72, and when the VPNs ₇₄₁ , ₇₄₂ , and ₇₄₃ are shown without being individually distinguished, they may be described as a VPN 74.

In this way, in the traffic control system 100, dedicated IF units 71, 72 connected to the control device 1 via VPNs 73, 74 are provided for each railway operator 2. Therefore, in the traffic control system 100, for example, it is possible to prevent a situation in which each railway operator 2 is able to access the database of another railway operator 2, thereby improving security.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of TID terminals, interlocking devices, station transmission devices, and IF units corresponding to each railway operator in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, a TID terminal 31, an interlocking device 32, and a station transmission device 75 are arranged corresponding to each station of each railway operator 2.

The station transmission device 75 includes, for example, a wireless LAN access point, and can perform wireless communication with trains 9 located within the station. The station transmission device 75 receives position information of the train 9 and image information from inside the train 9 from an on-board device (not shown) installed on the train 9, and transmits the received information to the control device 1 via the IF unit 71 and VPN 73. Note that the station transmission device 75 may be configured to include the IF unit 71.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of an on-board device installed on a train according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the on-board device 50 installed on the train 9 includes a position detection unit 51, an on-board camera 52, an on-board monitor unit 53, an on-board fare display unit 54, and an on-board radio unit 55.

The position detection unit 51 detects the position of the train 9. For example, the position detection unit 51 detects the latitude and longitude of the train 9 based on ranging signals transmitted from multiple satellites. The on-board camera 52 captures images of the interior of the train 9. The on-board monitor unit 53 outputs position information indicating the position detected by the position detection unit 51 and image information indicating the image captured by the on-board camera 52 to the on-board wireless unit 55.

The on-board fare display unit 54 displays, for example, fare information transmitted from the control device 1 via the on-board radio unit 55. The on-board radio unit 55 periodically transmits the position information and image information output from the on-board monitor unit 53 to the control device 1 via a radio base station of a mobile communication network included in the network 7 by wireless communication. As a result, the position information and image information are transmitted from the on-board device 50 to the control device 1. The mobile communication network is, for example, a communication network of a fourth generation mobile communication system or a communication network of a fifth generation mobile communication system.

In addition, when the train 9 is inside or around a station, the on-board wireless unit 55 transmits the position information and image information output from the on-board monitor unit 53 to the IF unit 71 by wireless communication. As a result, the position information and image information are transmitted to the control device 1 via the IF unit 71 and VPN 73.

Here, we will explain the information transmitted and received between the control device 1 and the display device 3, the operation device 4, the TID terminal 31, and the interlocking device 32. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of information transmitted and received between the control device according to the first embodiment and the display device, the operation device, the interlocking device, the TID terminal, and the interlocking device.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, display information is transmitted from the station transmission device 75 to the control device 1 via the IF unit 71 and VPN 73, and train information is transmitted from the train 9 to the control device 1. The display information includes information indicating the state of the points and information indicating the state of the signals. The train information includes position information indicating the position of the train 9 and imaging information indicating images captured inside the train 9. The train information is transmitted to the IF unit 71 by wireless communication from the on-board device 50 provided on the train 9.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the display information and train information are transmitted from the control device 1 to the display device 3 via the IF unit 72 and VPN 74. The display device 3 displays a monitoring screen based on the display information and train information from the control device 1. Such a monitoring screen includes an operation schedule diagram shown as a line diagram. The operation schedule diagram includes, for example, icons indicating the position of each train 9.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, a control request is sent from the operation device 4 to the control device 1 via the IF unit 72, VPN 74, and station transmission device 75. The control device 1 generates a control command based on the control request sent from the operation device 4, and sends the generated control command to the station transmission device 75 via the IF unit 71 and VPN 73. The interlocking device 32 receives the control command from the control device 1 via the station transmission device 75, and controls points or signals, etc., based on the received control signal.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, train number management information is sent from the control device 1 to the TID terminal 31 via the IF unit 72, VPN 74, and station transmission device 75. The train number management information is information such as the train number, current position, and delay time of train 9. The TID terminal 31 displays the train number, current position, and delay time of train 9 based on the train number management information from the control device 1.

Next, the configuration and operation of the control device 1 will be described in more detail. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 1 includes a communication unit 10, a storage unit 11, and a processing unit 12. The communication unit 10 is communicatively connected to a network 7, and transmits and receives information via the network 7.

Different network addresses are assigned to the IF units ₇₁₁ , ₇₁₂ , ₇₁₃ , ₇₂₁ , ₇₂₂ , and ₇₂₃ , and the communication unit 10 identifies from which of the IF units ₇₁₁ , 712, ₇₁₃ , ₇₂₁ , _{722 ,} and ₇₂₃ the received information was transmitted, based on a source network address included in the received information. When the network 7 includes an IP network, the network address is, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address.

Furthermore, the communication unit 10 includes the network address of the IF unit among the IF units 71 ₁ , 71 ₂ , 71 ₃ , 72 ₁ , 72 ₂ , and 72 ₃ to which the information is to be transmitted as the network address of the transmission destination in the information to be transmitted.

The storage unit 11 stores individual data that is individual data for each of the multiple railway operators 2 ₁ , 2 ₂ , and 2 _3. Specifically, the storage unit 11 stores first individual data as the individual data for the railway operator 2 ₁ , stores second individual data as the individual data for the railway operator 2 ₂ , and stores third individual data as the individual data for the railway operator 2 ₃ .

The first individual data stored in the memory unit 11 includes setting parameters, an actual timetable, and a past timetable, etc. The setting parameters set, for example, functions to be provided to the railway operator _2-1 among a plurality of functions executable by the processing unit 12, and the configuration of the railway operator _2-1 's lines, etc. The first individual data includes data on the railway operator _2-1 among the information processed by the processing unit 12, in addition to the actual timetable and past timetable.

The multiple functions executable by the processing unit 12 include, in addition to functions related to operation management such as a route control function, a passenger guidance function, and a timetable management function, for example, a crew management function, a vehicle maintenance management function, a logistics and sales function, and an advertisement distribution function, etc. The configuration of the line of the railway operator 2 ₁ includes, for example, the arrangement and identification information of each of the stations, trains 9, points, signals, etc. that make up the line.

The second individual data, like the first individual data, includes setting parameters, a planned timetable, and an actual timetable related to the railway operator 2 _2. The second individual data includes data about the railway operator 2 ₂ from among the information processed by the processing unit 12, in addition to the planned timetable and the actual timetable. The third individual data, like the first individual data, includes setting parameters, a planned timetable, and an actual timetable related to the railway operator 2 _3. The third individual data includes data about the railway operator 2 ₃ from among the information processed by the processing unit 12, in addition to the planned timetable and the actual timetable.

The processing unit 12 manages the operation of the train 9 individually for each of the multiple railway operators 21, 22, 23, based on the control request transmitted from the operation device 4 and received by the communication unit 10, the display information transmitted from the interlocking device ₃₂ and received by the communication unit ₁₀ , and individual data. The management of the operation of the train 9 includes route control, monitoring display, passenger guidance, and _the like.

Route control is, for example, control of points and signals. Monitoring display is the display on the display device 3 of the position of each train 9, the status of points, the status of signals, etc. Passenger information is the display on the TID terminal 31 of information such as the train number of the train 9, its current position on the line, and the delay time.

The processing unit 12 includes a timetable management unit 21, a train tracking unit 22, a train rescheduling unit 23, a route control unit 24, and a passenger information unit 25. Data processed by each of the timetable management unit 21, the train tracking unit 22, the train rescheduling unit 23, the route control unit 24, and the passenger information unit 25 is stored in the memory unit 11. This updates the first individual data, the second individual data, or the third individual data. Data is exchanged between each of the timetable management unit 21, the train tracking unit 22, the train rescheduling unit 23, the route control unit 24, and the passenger information unit 25 via the memory unit 11.

The timetable management unit 21 creates and manages train 9 operation timetables. The operation timetable is, for example, the actual operation timetable for the day, or the actual performance timetable for the day. The actual operation timetable for the day is a planned operation timetable that is created before the operation management for the day. The actual performance timetable for the day is a operation timetable up to the current time during the operation period for the day, and includes information such as the arrival time at and departure time from stations for each train 9.

The timetable management unit 21 creates a performance timetable based on the actual timetable and time information. The time information includes information such as the time each train 9 arrives at a station and the time each train 9 departs from a station.

The train tracking unit 22 acquires position information from each train 9 and updates the position of each train 9. In the train tracking unit 22, the position of the train 9 is managed on a track circuit basis. Based on the position information from the train 9, the train tracking unit 22 determines which track circuit out of multiple track circuits corresponds to the position where the train 9 is located. The track circuit corresponding to the position where the train 9 is located is a track circuit that detects the section where the train 9 is located. Note that the train tracking unit 22 may be configured to update the position of each train 9 based on the detection information of the track circuit.

The train rescheduling unit 23 performs train rescheduling based on the actual train schedule, the actual track record, and time information, and creates a predicted train schedule, which is a train operation schedule based on the results of the travel prediction for each train 9.

Traffic rescheduling is a process that, for example, cancels the operation of some trains 9, changes the intervals between trains 9, or changes the operating sequence of trains 9 when a delay occurs in train 9. The traffic rescheduling unit 23 can also display a train schedule diagram as a line schedule on the display device 3 and reschedule operations in response to input operations by the dispatcher to the operation device 4.

The route control unit 24 controls the route of each train 9 based on the operation schedule, which is either the actual schedule, the actual performance schedule, or the predicted schedule. For example, the route control unit 24 generates a control command for each interlocking device 32 based on the operation schedule or a control request input to the operation device 4 by the operator, and transmits the generated control command to the communication unit 10 to a corresponding interlocking device among the multiple interlocking devices 32.

The passenger information unit 25 generates train number management information including information such as the train number, on-line location, and delay time of train 9 within a preset range of each station based on the location of train 9 tracked by the train tracking unit 22 and the train schedule, and transmits the generated train number management information to the communication unit 10 to a corresponding TID terminal among the multiple TID terminals 31.

Next, the processing by the processing unit 12 of the control device 1 will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the processing unit of the control device according to the first embodiment. The processing unit 12 of the control device 1 repeatedly executes the processing shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in Fig. 7, the processing unit 12 of the control device 1 judges whether the process to be executed is the traffic management process of the railway operator ₂₁ (step S10). When the processing unit 12 judges that the process to be executed is the traffic management process of the railway operator ₂₁ (step S10: Yes), the processing unit 12 executes the traffic management process of the railway operator ₂₁ (step S11). The traffic management process of the railway operator ₂₁ is a process for traffic management of the trains 9 of the railway operator ₂₁ .

The processing of information for operation management of trains 9 by railway operator _2.1 includes, for example, processing of information transmitted from IF unit _71.1 or IF unit _72.1 and received by communication unit 10, processing for generating information to be transmitted from communication unit 10 to IF unit _71.1 or IF unit _72.1 , or processing for transmitting information from communication unit 10 to IF unit _71.1 or IF unit _72.1 .

The processing for generating information to be transmitted from the communication unit 10 to the IF unit _71-1 or the IF unit _72-1 includes, for example, a processing for generating control commands, a processing for generating a train schedule, and a processing for generating information to be displayed on the display device 3 and the TID terminal 31, etc.

When the processing of step S11 is completed, or when the processing unit 12 determines that the processing to be executed is not the traffic management processing of the railway undertaking _2.1 (step S10: No), the processing unit 12 determines whether the processing to be executed is the traffic management processing of the railway undertaking _2.2 (step S12). The traffic management processing of the railway undertaking _2.2 is processing for traffic management of trains 9 by the railway undertaking _2.2 . When the processing unit 12 determines that the processing to be executed is the traffic management processing of the railway undertaking _2.2 (step S12: Yes), the processing unit 12 executes the traffic management processing of the railway undertaking _2.2 (step S13).

When the processing unit 12 has finished the process of step S13 or has determined that the process to be executed is not the traffic management process of the railway operator _2.2 (step S12: No), the processing unit 12 judges whether the process to be executed is the traffic management process of the railway operator _2.3 (step S14). The traffic management process of the railway operator _2.3 is a process for traffic management of the train 9 of the railway operator _2.3 . When the processing unit 12 has determined that the process to be executed is the traffic management process of the railway operator _2.3 (step S14: Yes), the processing unit 12 executes the traffic management process of the railway operator _2.3 (step S15). When the processing unit 12 has finished the process of step S15 or has determined that the process to be executed is not the traffic management process of the railway operator _2.3 (step S14: No), the processing unit 12 ends the process shown in FIG. 7.

Next, the sub-controller 6 will be described in more detail. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sub-controller according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the sub-controller 6 includes a communication unit 60, a processing unit 61, and a storage unit 62.

The communication unit 60 is communicatively connected to the station transmission device 75 shown in FIG. 3. The processing unit 61 acquires information required to manage the operation of the train 9 from the control device 1 via the communication unit 60, and performs processing to manage the operation of the train 9 based on the information acquired from the control device 1 when the control device 1 is unable to manage the operation of the train 9.

The processing unit 61 includes a synchronization processing unit 63, a timetable management unit 64, a train tracking unit 65, a control processing unit 66, and a passenger information unit 67. The synchronization processing unit 63 acquires traffic management information, which is information necessary to manage the operation of trains 9, via the control device 1 or the communication unit 60, and stores the acquired traffic management information in the memory unit 62. The traffic management information includes, for example, information such as the actual timetable, actual timetable, predicted timetable, the position of each train 9, the state of the points, and the state of the signals.

The timetable management unit 64 creates a performance timetable based on the actual timetable and time information. The time information includes information such as the time each train 9 arrives at a station and the time each train 9 departs from a station.

The train tracking unit 65 acquires position information from each train 9 and updates the position of each train 9. If the control device 1 is unable to manage the operation of the train 9, the train tracking unit 65 cannot acquire from the control device 1 the position information transmitted from the on-board device 50 of the train 9 to the control device 1 via a wireless base station of the mobile communication network, and therefore acquires the position information of the train 9 via a wireless LAN access point included in the station transmission device 75. The train tracking unit 65 updates the position information of each train 9 included in the operation management information stored in the memory unit 62 based on the acquired position information of the train 9.

The control processing unit 66 displays the train operation diagram as a line diagram on the display device 3. The control processing unit 66 also predicts the arrival time of each train 9 at each station after the next station based on the position of each train 9, the planned timetable, and the past timetable stored in the memory unit 62. The control processing unit 66 also generates a control command for the interlocking device 32 based on a control request input by the operator to the operation device 4, and causes the communication unit 60 to transmit the generated control command to the interlocking device 32.

The passenger information unit 67 generates information such as the train number, current position, arrival time at the next station, and delay time of the train 9 based on the position of the train 9, the operation schedule, and the arrival time at the next station for each train 9 stored in the memory unit 62, and transmits the generated information to the communication unit 60 to a corresponding TID terminal among the multiple TID terminals 31.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the connection relationship between the control room and station-side devices in the traffic control system according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, a central transmission device 76 is disposed in the control room, and the display device 3, the operation device 4, and the sub-control device 6 are connected to the central transmission device 76. The sub-control device 6 can transmit and receive information between the display device 3 and the operation device 4 via the central transmission device 76.

Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the station transmission device 75 and the central transmission device 76 are connected by wire or wirelessly, and the sub-control device 6 can transmit and receive information between the TID terminal 31 and the interlocking device 32 via the central transmission device 76 and the station transmission device 75.

When the control device 1 is unable to manage the operation of the train 9, the sub-control device 6 transmits and receives information to and from each of the display device 3, the operation device 4, the TID terminal 31, and the interlocking device 32 to manage the operation of the train 9. The operation management function of the sub-control device 6 for the train 9 is less powerful than the operation management function of the control device 1 for the train 9, and in the following, the mode in which the operation of the train 9 is managed by the sub-control device 6 is referred to as a reduced function mode, and the mode in which the operation of the train 9 is managed by the control device 1 is referred to as a normal mode.

Next, the processing by the processing unit 61 of the sub-controller 6 will be explained using a flowchart. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the processing unit of the sub-controller according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the processing unit 61 of the sub-controller 6 determines whether the operation management information of the control unit 1 has been updated (step S20). If the processing unit 61 determines that the operation management information of the control unit 1 has been updated (step S20: Yes), it acquires the updated portion of the operation management information from the control unit 1 and updates the operation management information of the control unit 1 based on the acquired information (step S21). Note that the updated portion of the operation management information may be sent from the control unit 1 to the sub-controller 6 in a push-type manner.

When the processing of step S21 is completed, or when it is determined that the operation management information of the control device 1 has not been updated (step S20: No), the processing unit 61 determines whether or not operation management by the control device 1 is not possible (step S22). In the processing of step S22, the processing unit 61 determines that operation management by the control device 1 is not possible when, for example, the operation of the control device 1 has stopped or the IF units 71 and 72 have failed.

When the processing unit 61 determines that the control device 1 is in a state where operation management is not possible (step S22: Yes), the processing unit 61 starts operation management in a reduced function mode (step S23). When the processing unit 61 ends the processing of step S23, or when the processing unit 61 determines that the control device 1 is not in a state where operation management is not possible (step S22: No), the processing unit 61 ends the processing shown in FIG. 10.

Here, an example of the difference between operation management by the control device 1 and operation management by the sub-control device 6 will be described. First, an example of operation management by the control device 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an overview of operation management by the control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow in operation management by the control device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, in traffic management by the control device 1, the position of the train 9 is processed on a track circuit basis. In the example shown in FIG. 11, "1T", "2T", "3T", and "4T" are each codes corresponding to a track circuit.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, train 9 departs from station A at 7:00 and is present at a position detected by the track circuit corresponding to "1T." The control device 1 creates a train schedule in which train 9 arrives at station B at 7:20, station C at 7:40, station D at 8:05, and station E at 8:25. In this way, the control device 1 creates and manages a train schedule from the starting station to the terminal station for each train 9.

In traffic management by the control device 1, as shown in FIG. 12, information is sent and received in the traffic management system 100. Specifically, display information is sent from the interlocking device 32 to the control device 1. The display information from the interlocking device 32 is received by the communication unit 10 of the control device 1 via the station transmission device 75, the IF unit 71, and the VPN 73. The display information includes information indicating the status of each of the points and signals controlled by the interlocking device 32. In addition, although not shown, position information from the train 9 is also received by the communication unit 10 via the network 7.

The train tracking unit 22 acquires position information from each train 9 from the communication unit 10, and updates the position of each train 9 on a track circuit basis based on the acquired position information. The train tracking unit 22 notifies the route control unit 24 of train tracking information indicating the position of each train 9 on a track circuit basis.

The route control unit 24 notifies the timetable management unit 21 of the actual timetable and time information based on the display information and train tracking information, and obtains the actual timetable from the timetable management unit 21. The time information includes information such as the time when each train 9 arrives at a station and the time when each train 9 departs from a station. The timetable management unit 21 creates the actual timetable based on the actual timetable and the time information, etc.

The traffic replanning unit 23 executes traffic replanning based on the actual timetable, the actual timetable, and the time information, and creates a predicted timetable, which is a train schedule based on the results of the travel prediction for each train 9. The route control unit 24 generates a control command based on the predicted timetable created by the traffic replanning unit 23 or a control request input to the operation device 4 by the operator, and causes the communication unit 10 to transmit the generated control command to the interlocking device 32.

The control command from the control device 1 is received by the interlocking device 32 via the VPN 73, the IF unit 71, and the station transmission device 75, and the interlocking device 32 controls the points or signals based on the received control command.

Although not shown, train number management information is sent from the control device 1 to the TID terminal 31 via the VPN 73, the IF unit 71, and the station transmission device 75. As described above, the train number management information includes information such as the train number, on-track position, and delay time of trains 9 within a preset range of each station.

Next, operation management by the sub-controller 6 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an overview of operation management by the sub-controller according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow in operation management by the sub-controller according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, when traffic management cannot be performed by the control device 1, traffic management is performed by the sub-control device 6. In traffic management by the sub-control device 6, the position of the train 9 is processed as a station-by-station position rather than a track circuit-by-track circuit position. In the example shown in FIG. 13, train 9 is shown to depart station A at 7:00, to be located between stations A and B, and to be scheduled to arrive at station B at 7:20.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, after train 9 arrives at station B, the arrival time of train 9 at station C is predicted. In this way, in operation management by the sub-controller 6, an operation plan is created up to the scheduled arrival of each train 9 at the next station, and the scheduled arrival time of each train 9 beyond the next station is managed using an estimated time.

In traffic management by the sub-controller 6, as shown in FIG. 14, information is sent and received in the traffic management system 100. Specifically, display information is sent from the interlocking device 32 to the sub-controller 6. The display information from the interlocking device 32 is received by the sub-controller 6 via the station transmission device 75 and the central transmission device 76. In addition, although not shown, position information from the train 9 is also received by the communication unit 60 via the station transmission device 75 and the central transmission device 76.

The train tracking unit 65 acquires location information from each train 9 from the communication unit 60, and updates the location of each train 9 on a station-by-station basis based on the acquired location information. The train tracking unit 65 notifies the control processing unit 66 of train tracking information indicating the location of each train 9 on a station-by-station basis.

The control processing unit 66 notifies the schedule management unit 64 of the actual schedule and time information based on the display information and train tracking information, and obtains the actual schedule from the schedule management unit 64. The time information includes information such as the time each train 9 arrives at a station and the time each train 9 departs from a station.

The control processing unit 66 creates a timetable for each train 9 to the next station based on the position of each train 9 updated by the train tracking unit 65, the actual timetable, and the past timetable, and predicts the arrival time of each train 9 at each station from the next station onwards. In addition, the control processing unit 66 generates a control command for the interlocking device 32 based on the created timetable or a control request input by the operator to the operation device 4, and causes the communication unit 60 to transmit the generated control command to the interlocking device 32.

The control commands from the sub-controller 6 are received by the interlocking device 32 via the central transmission device 76 and the station transmission device 75, and the interlocking device 32 controls points or signals, etc., based on the received control commands.

Although not shown, train number management information is transmitted from the sub-controller 6 to the TID terminal 31 via the central transmission device 76 and the station transmission device 75. As described above, the train number management information includes information such as the train number of the train 9, its current position on the line, its arrival time at the next station, and the delay time.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the control device 1 includes a computer having a processor 101, a memory 102, a communication device 103, and a bus 104.

The processor 101, memory 102, and communication device 103 can transmit and receive information to and from each other via a bus 104. The storage unit 11 is realized by the memory 102. The communication unit 10 is realized by the communication device 103. The processor 101 executes the functions of the processing unit 12 by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 102. The processor 101 is, for example, an example of a processing circuit, and includes one or more of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and a system LSI (Large Scale Integration).

The memory 102 includes one or more of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The memory 102 also includes a recording medium on which a computer-readable program is recorded. Such a recording medium includes one or more of a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a flexible memory, an optical disk, a compact disk, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The control device 1 may include an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

The control device 1 may also be configured with two or more devices located at separate locations. In this case, each of the two or more devices has, for example, the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 15. Note that communication between the two or more devices is performed via the communication device 103.

As described above, the traffic control system 100 according to the first embodiment includes the control device 1, a plurality of display devices 3, and a plurality of operation devices 4. The control device 1 is constructed in a cloud environment and individually manages the operation of trains 9 of a plurality of railway operators 2. The plurality of display devices 3 are provided for each of the corresponding railway operators among the plurality of railway operators 2, and are communicatively connected to the control device 1. The plurality of operation devices 4 are provided for each of the corresponding railway operators among the plurality of railway operators 2, and are communicatively connected to the control device 1. The control device 1 individually displays information indicating the operation status of trains 9 of a corresponding railway operator among the plurality of railway operators 2 on each of the plurality of display devices 3, and individually controls the railway facilities 5 of the plurality of railway operators 2 based on control requests transmitted from the plurality of operation devices 4. As a result, the traffic control system 100 can reduce system costs and labor costs for managing the operation of trains 9 compared to the case where a traffic control system is constructed individually for each railway operator 2, and can provide the functions of the control device 1 to each railway operator 2 at a low cost. Therefore, the traffic control system 100 can reduce the burden on a railway operator 2 that operates a small-scale local line when introducing a new traffic control system.

The control device 1 also includes a memory unit 11 and a processing unit 12. The memory unit 11 stores first individual data, second individual data, and third individual data as individual data for each of the multiple railway operators 2. The processing unit 12 causes a corresponding one of the multiple display devices 3 to individually display information indicating the operating status of trains 9 of a corresponding one of the multiple railway operators 2 based on the individual data for each of the multiple railway operators 2 stored in the memory unit 11, and individually controls the railway facilities 5 of the corresponding one of the multiple railway operators 2. In this way, the traffic control system 100 can reduce the burden on the railway operators 2 when they introduce a new traffic control system.

Furthermore, each of the railway facilities 5 of the multiple railway operators 2 is communicatively connected to the control device 1 via a corresponding one of multiple mutually different VPNs 73. VPN 73 is an example of a first virtual private network. Each of multiple device groups, each including one of multiple display devices 3 and one of multiple operation devices 4, is communicatively connected to the control device 1 via a corresponding one of multiple mutually different VPNs 74. VPN 74 is an example of a second virtual private network. This allows the traffic control system 100 to prevent, for example, a situation in which each railway operator 2 is able to access the databases of other railway operators 2, thereby improving security.

The traffic management system 100 also includes a plurality of IF units 71 and a plurality of IF units 72. The IF unit 71 is an example of a first interface unit, and the IF unit 72 is an example of a second interface unit. Each of the plurality of IF units 71 is provided between a railway facility 5 of a corresponding railway operator 2 among the plurality of railway operators 2 and a corresponding VPN among the plurality of VPNs 73, and is communicatively connected to the railway facility 5 of the corresponding railway operator 2 among the plurality of railway operators 2. The plurality of IF units 72 are provided between a corresponding device group among the plurality of device groups and a corresponding VPN among the plurality of VPNs 74, and is communicatively connected to the corresponding device group among the plurality of device groups. As a result, in the traffic management system 100, the IF units 71 and 72 can be used as access points to improve security.

The traffic control system 100 also includes a plurality of sub-controllers 6. Each of the plurality of sub-controllers 6 is provided for a corresponding one of the plurality of railway operators 2, and is communicatively connected to the control device 1. Each of the plurality of sub-controllers 6 acquires traffic control information, which is information related to the traffic control of trains 9 of the corresponding one of the plurality of railway operators 2, from the control device 1, and manages the operation of the trains 9 of the corresponding railway operator in place of the control device 1 based on the acquired traffic control information. This allows the traffic control system 100 to continue managing the traffic of trains 9 even when the control device 1 is unable to manage the traffic of trains 9.

In addition, the operation management function for trains 9 by each of the multiple sub-controllers 6 is less powerful than the operation management function for trains 9 by the control unit 1. As a result, the operation management system 100 can reduce the development costs and operating costs of the sub-controllers 6, and can reduce the burden on railway operators 2 that operate small regional lines when introducing a new operation management system, for example.

The control device 1 also manages the location of the train 9 on a track circuit basis to manage the operation of the train 9. Each of the multiple sub-controllers 6 manages the location of the train 9 on a station basis to manage the operation of the train 9. This allows the traffic control system 100 to reduce the development costs and operating costs of the sub-controllers 6, and can reduce the burden on, for example, a railway operator 2 operating a small regional line when introducing a new traffic control system.

Embodiment 2.
The traffic control system according to the second embodiment differs from the traffic control system 100 according to the first embodiment in that the control device can be replaced with another control device, the train operation status can be displayed and the operation status can be operated on a portable terminal, and information can be transmitted and received between operators. In the following, components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted, and the explanation will focus on the points that are different from the traffic control system 100 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of a traffic management system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the traffic management system 100A according to the second embodiment differs from the traffic management system 100 in that it includes a control device 1A and a portable terminal 80 instead of the control device 1.

A portable terminal 80 is provided for each railway operator 2. The portable terminal 80 is, for example, a tablet, a smartphone, or a notebook PC (Personal Computer), and can execute the functions of the display device 3 and the functions of the operation device 4.

Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portable terminal according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 17, a portable terminal 80 according to the second embodiment includes a communication unit 81, a display unit 82, and an operation unit 83. The display unit 82 is an example of a display device. The operation unit 83 is an example of an operation device.

The communication unit 81 performs wireless communication. The communication unit 81 is communicatively connected to the IF unit 72 via, for example, a wireless base station of a mobile communication network. The communication unit 81 can also communicate with a wireless LAN access point included in the station transmission device 75 and be communicatively connected to the IF unit 72 via the station transmission device 75. The communication unit 81 receives display information and train information from the control device 1A via the IF unit 72. Note that the communication unit 81 may be communicatively connected to the IF unit 71 instead of the IF unit 72.

The display unit 82 has the same functions as the display device 3, and displays a monitoring screen based on the display information and train information from the control device 1A received by the communication unit 81. The operation unit 83 transmits a control request based on an operation by the dispatcher to the communication unit 81 via the IF unit 72 to the control device 1A.

In this way, the traffic control system 100A according to the second embodiment includes a portable terminal 80 having the functions of the display device 3 and the operation device 4, so that the dispatcher can grasp the operating status of the train 9 and control the operation of the train 9 from a location away from the command center, such as near a station or inside the train 9. Therefore, the traffic control system 100A can improve the convenience of the dispatcher.

Next, the configuration of the control device 1A will be described. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the control device 1A according to the second embodiment differs from the control device 1 in that it includes a processing unit 12A instead of the processing unit 12. As shown in FIG. 18, the processing unit 12A differs from the processing unit 12 in that it further includes a switching processing unit 26, a cost processing unit 27, and a maintenance request unit 28.

The switching processing unit 26 changes the network address of the control device 1A set in the IF units 71 ₁ , 71 ₂ , 71 ₃ , 72 ₁ , 72 ₂ , and 72 ₃ when replacing the control device 1A of the traffic management system 100A.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing by the switching processing unit according to the second embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 19, in order to distinguish between the two control devices 1A constructed in the cloud environment, the control device 1A included in the traffic management system 100A before the switching is described as control device 1A1, and the control device 1A included in the traffic management system 100A after the switching is described as control device 1A2.

In the example shown in FIG. 19, the control device 1A1 is assigned the IP address "10.160.00.101" as its network address, and the control device 1A2 is assigned the IP address "10.160.00.102" as its network address.

The switching processing unit 26 of the control device 1A1 acquires the network address of the control device 1A2 from an external device (not shown) via the communication unit 10. Hereinafter, the network address of the control device 1A2 may be referred to as the switching destination address.

When the switching processing unit 26 of the control device 1A1 receives a switching request from an external device via the communication unit 10, it determines that the switching timing has arrived, which is the time to switch the control device 1A of the operation management system 100A from the control device 1A1 to the control device 1A2.

When the switching processing unit 26 determines that the switching timing has arrived, it changes the destination addresses set in the IF units ₇₁₁ , ₇₁₂ , ₇₁₃ , ₇₂₁ , ₇₂₂ , and ₇₂₃ to the network address of the control device 1A2, which is the switching destination address. The destination address is the network address of the control device 1A, which is the destination of information sent by the IF units ₇₁₁ , ₇₁₂ , ₇₁₃ , ₇₂₁ , ₇₂₂ , and _723. As a result, the control device 1A constituting the traffic management system 100A is switched from the control device 1A1 to the control device 1A2.

In this way, the traffic control system 100A can switch the control device 1A constituting the traffic control system 100A by changing the network address of the control device 1A, which is the destination address set in _the IF units ₇₁₁ , ₇₁₂ , ₇₁₃ , _{721, 722} , and 723. Therefore, when maintenance of the control device 1A is required or when a change is required due to deterioration of the control device 1A, the control device 1A constituting the traffic control system 100A can be easily switched.

In the traffic control system 100A, the destination addresses set in the IF units 71 ₁ , 71 ₂ , 71 ₃ , 72 ₁ , 72 ₂ , and 72 ₃ can also be changed from the operation device 4 or a terminal device (not shown) instead of the control device 1A.

Next, the processing by the switching processing unit 26 of the control device 1A will be explained using a flowchart. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing by the switching processing unit of the control device according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 20, the switching processing unit 26 of the control device 1A determines whether or not the switching destination address has been acquired from the external device via the communication unit 10 (step S30). If the switching processing unit 26 determines that the switching destination address has not been acquired (step S30: No), it acquires the switching destination address from the external device (step S31).

When the process of step S31 is completed or when it is determined that the switching destination address has been acquired (step S30: Yes), the switching processing unit 26 determines whether or not a switching request has been acquired from an external device via the communication unit 10 (step S32). When it is determined that a switching request has been acquired (step S32: Yes), the switching processing unit 26 changes the destination address of the IF units 71 and 72 to the switching destination address (step S33). As a result, the control device 1A constituting the traffic management system 100A is switched from the control device 1A1 to the control device 1A2.

When the processing of step S33 is completed, or when it is determined that a switching request has not been acquired (step S32: No), the switching processing unit 26 terminates the processing shown in FIG. 20.

Returning to FIG. 18, we will continue the explanation of the control device 1A. The expense processing unit 27 of the control device 1A obtains payment for the operation management service of trains 9 by the control device 1A from each railway operator 2. The expense processing unit 27 obtains payment for the operation management service from the railway operator 2, for example, by debiting a service fee, which is the cost of the operation management service, from the bank account of the railway operator 2. The expense processing unit 27 can also transmit, for example, data of an invoice or receipt to the device of the railway operator 2.

The maintenance request unit 28 requests the maintenance company to perform maintenance management of at least one of the multiple railway facilities 5. For example, when the maintenance request unit 28 detects railway facilities 5 that require repair or inspection based on information transmitted from the railway facilities 5, the maintenance request unit 28 requests the maintenance company to perform maintenance management of the railway facilities 5 by transmitting a request for maintenance management of the railway facilities 5 that require repair or inspection to the terminal of the maintenance company.

Figure 21 is a diagram showing the relationship between the service provider, railway operator, cloud service provider, and maintenance company in the traffic management service provided by the traffic management system according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 21, a service provider that manages and operates the control device 1A provides traffic management services to the railway operator 2 and receives a service fee, which is the cost of the traffic management service, from the railway operator 2. The service fee is a monthly or annual service fee.

The service provider also receives a cloud environment from the cloud service provider, builds the control device 1A in the cloud environment, and pays a service fee to the cloud service provider as compensation for the provision of the cloud environment. The service fee is a monthly or annual service fee.

The service provider also requests a maintenance company to perform maintenance management of railway facilities 5 and the like, and pays the maintenance management fee to the maintenance company. The maintenance management fee may be a fixed fee on a monthly or annual basis, or may be a fee incurred for each maintenance management.

The hardware configuration example of the control device 1A according to the second embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the control device 1 shown in FIG. 15. The processor 101 can execute the functions of the processing unit 12A by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 102.

As described above, the traffic control system 100A according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of control devices 1A, and each of the plurality of IF units 71 and each of the plurality of IF units 72 can change the network address of the destination from the network address of one control device 1A1 of the plurality of control devices 1A to the network address of another control device 1A2 of the plurality of control devices 1A. This allows the traffic control system 100A to easily switch the control device 1A constituting the traffic control system 100A when maintenance of the control device 1A is required or when a change is required due to deterioration of the control device 1A.

The traffic control system 100A also includes a plurality of portable terminals 80 that are provided for each of the plurality of railway operators 2 and are communicatively connected to the control device 1A. Each of the plurality of portable terminals 80 includes a corresponding display unit among the plurality of display units 82 and a corresponding operation unit among the plurality of operation units 83. The display unit 82 is an example of a display device, and the operation unit 83 is an example of an operation device. As a result, in the traffic control system 100A, the dispatcher can grasp the operating status of the train 9 and control the operation of the train 9 from a location away from the dispatch center, such as near a station or inside the train 9, thereby improving the convenience of the dispatcher.

The control device 1A also includes a cost processing unit 27 that acquires compensation for the train 9 operation management service provided by the control device 1A from multiple railway operators 2. This allows the operation management system 100A to enable the service provider to acquire compensation for the provision of the operation management service.

The control device 1A also includes a maintenance request unit 28 that requests a maintenance company to perform maintenance management of at least one of the multiple railway facilities 5. This allows the traffic management system 100A to allow a service provider to easily request maintenance management of the railway facilities 5.

The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be combined with other known technologies, or the embodiments may be combined with each other. In addition, parts of the configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1, 1A, 1A1, 1A2 Control device, ₂ , 2 1, 2 ₂ , 2 ₃ Railway operator, 3 Display device, 4 Operation device, 5 Railway equipment, 6 Sub-control device, 7 Network, 8 Terminal device, 9 Train, 10, 60, 81 Communication unit, 11, 62 Memory unit, 12, 12A, 61 Processing unit, 21, 64 Timetable management unit, 22, 65 Train tracking unit, 23 Traffic rescheduling unit, 24 Route control unit, 25, 67 Passenger information unit, 26 Switching processing unit, 27 Expense processing unit, 28 Maintenance request unit, 31 TID terminal, 32 Interlocking device, 50 On-board device, 51 Position detection unit, 52 On-board camera, 53 On-board monitor unit, 54 On-board fare display unit, 55 On-board radio unit, 63 Synchronization processing unit, 66 Control processing unit, 71, 71 ₁ , 71 ₂ , 71 ₃ , 72, 72 ₁ , 72 ₂ , 72 ₃ IF unit, 73, 73 ₁ , 73 ₂ , 73 ₃ , ₇₄ , 74 1 , 74 ₂ , 74 ₃ VPN, 75 station transmission device, 76 central transmission device, 80 portable terminal, 82 display unit, 83 operation unit, 100, 100A operation control system, 101 processor, 102 memory, 103 communication device, 104 bus.

Claims (27)

A control device that is built in a cloud environment and individually manages the operation of trains for multiple railway operators;
A plurality of operation devices are provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators and are communicatively connected to the control device;
A plurality of interface units connected to the control device via a virtual private network and provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators;
Equipped with
The operation control system is characterized in that the control device includes, in the information to be transmitted, a network address of an interface unit to which information is to be transmitted, among the plurality of interface units, as a destination network address . A control device that is built in a cloud environment and individually manages the operation of trains for multiple railway operators;
A plurality of operation devices are provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators and are communicatively connected to the control device;
A plurality of interface units connected to the control device via a virtual private network and provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators;
Equipped with
A traffic management system characterized in that each of the railway equipment of the multiple railway operators is communicatively connected to the control device via a corresponding station virtual private network among multiple station virtual private networks. Multiple control devices are built in a cloud environment and individually manage the operation of trains for multiple railway operators.
A plurality of operation devices are provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators and are communicatively connected to the control device;
A plurality of interface units connected to the control device via a virtual private network and provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators;
Equipped with
An operation management system characterized in that the control device changes the destination network address set in the interface unit from the network address of one of the multiple control devices to the network address of the other control device. Multiple control devices are built in a cloud environment and individually manage the operation of trains for multiple railway operators.
A plurality of operation devices are provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators and are communicatively connected to the control device;
A plurality of interface units connected to the control device via a virtual private network and provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators;
A plurality of display devices provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators and communicatively connected to the control device;
Equipped with
A traffic management system characterized in that the control device displays information indicating the operating status of the trains of a corresponding one of the multiple railway operators on the display device. Multiple control devices are built in a cloud environment and individually manage the operation of trains for multiple railway operators.
A plurality of operation devices are provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators and are communicatively connected to the control device;
A plurality of interface units connected to the control device via a virtual private network and provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators;
A plurality of sub-controllers provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators and communicably connected to the control device;
Equipped with
The sub-control device includes:
A traffic management system characterized by obtaining train operation management information of a corresponding one of the multiple railway operators from the control device, and managing the operation of the train based on the obtained traffic management information. A control device that is built in a cloud environment and individually manages the operation of trains for multiple railway operators;
A plurality of operation devices are provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators and are communicatively connected to the control device;
A plurality of interface units connected to the control device via a virtual private network and provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators;
Equipped with
The control device includes:
A traffic management system comprising: a cost processing unit that acquires payment for the train traffic management service provided by the control device from a plurality of the railway operators. A control device that is built in a cloud environment and individually manages the operation of trains for multiple railway operators;
A plurality of operation devices are provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators and are communicatively connected to the control device;
A plurality of interface units connected to the control device via a virtual private network and provided for each of the plurality of railroad operators;
Equipped with
The control device includes:
A traffic management system comprising a maintenance request unit that requests a maintenance company to perform maintenance management of railway facilities of the railway operator. 8. The traffic control system according to claim 1, wherein different network addresses are assigned to the plurality of interface units. The traffic management system according to claim 8, characterized in that the control device identifies which of the multiple interface units the received information was sent from, based on the network address of the sender contained in the received information . The traffic management system according to claim 2, further comprising a station-side interface unit provided between a railway facility of a corresponding one of the plurality of railway operators and a corresponding one of the plurality of station-side virtual private networks, and communicatively connected to the railway facility of the corresponding one of the plurality of railway operators. A terminal device communicably connected to the control device,
The traffic management system according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the operation device and the terminal device can change the destination network address set in the interface unit from the network address of one of the multiple control devices to the network address of the other of the multiple control devices. 8. The traffic management system according to claim 1, wherein the control device has a memory unit that stores individual data of each of the plurality of railway operators from among the information received via the plurality of interface units. The traffic management system according to claim 12 , characterized in that the individual data stored in the memory unit is information including train schedules of the trains managed by a plurality of the railway operators. The traffic management system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the control device controls railway equipment of a corresponding one of the multiple railway operators based on a control request transmitted from the operation device. The operation management function for the train by the sub-controller is
The traffic control system according to claim 5 , characterized in that the traffic control system has a lower function than the traffic control function for the trains by the control device. The control device includes:
Manage the train's location on a track circuit basis to manage the train's operation;
The sub-control device includes:
6. The traffic control system according to claim 5 , wherein the train's location is controlled on a station-by-station basis to control the operation of the train. The traffic management system according to claim 1 , further comprising a portable terminal communicatively connected to the interface unit and having the function of the operation device. a communication unit that is constructed in a cloud environment, is connected via an operation device and a virtual private network provided for each of the plurality of railway operators corresponding to the railway operators, and receives a control request transmitted via an interface unit provided for each of the plurality of railway operators corresponding to the railway operators;
a processing unit that individually manages train operations of the plurality of railroad operators based on the control request received by the communication unit ,
A control device comprising: a control unit for controlling a network address of an interface unit, which is a transmission target of information, among the plurality of interface units, included in information to be transmitted as a destination network address . a communication unit that is constructed in a cloud environment, is connected via an operation device and a virtual private network provided for each of the plurality of railway operators corresponding to the railway operators, and receives a control request transmitted via an interface unit provided for each of the plurality of railway operators corresponding to the railway operators;
a processing unit that individually manages train operations of the plurality of railroad operators based on the control request received by the communication unit;
an expense processing unit that acquires a fee for the train operation management service provided by the processing unit from a plurality of the railway operators;
A control device comprising: a communication unit that is constructed in a cloud environment, is connected via an operation device and a virtual private network provided for each of the plurality of railway operators corresponding to the railway operators, and receives a control request transmitted via an interface unit provided for each of the plurality of railway operators corresponding to the railway operators;
a processing unit that individually manages train operations of the plurality of railroad operators based on the control request received by the communication unit;
a maintenance request unit that requests a maintenance company to perform maintenance management of railway facilities of the railway operator;
A control device comprising: A storage unit that stores individual data of each of the plurality of railway operators received by the communication unit,
21. The control device according to claim 18 , wherein the processing unit individually controls railway facilities of the plurality of railway operators based on the individual data stored in the memory unit. a first step of receiving a control request that is connected via an operation device and a virtual private network provided for each of a plurality of railway operators and that is transmitted via an interface unit provided for each of the plurality of railway operators;
a second step of individually managing train operations of the plurality of railroad operators based on the control request received in the first step ;
A control method comprising the step of: including in information to be transmitted, as a destination network address, a network address of an interface unit to which information is to be transmitted, among the plurality of interface units . a first step of receiving a control request that is connected via an operation device and a virtual private network provided for each of a plurality of railway operators and that is transmitted via an interface unit provided for each of the plurality of railway operators;
a second step of individually managing train operations of the plurality of railroad operators based on the control request received in the first step;
a third step of acquiring a fee for the train operation management service obtained by the second step from the plurality of railway operators;
A control method comprising: a first step of receiving a control request that is connected via an operation device and a virtual private network provided for each of a plurality of railway operators and that is transmitted via an interface unit provided for each of the plurality of railway operators;
a second step of individually managing train operations of the plurality of railroad operators based on the control request received in the first step;
A third step of requesting a maintenance company to perform maintenance management of the railway equipment of the railway operator;
A control method comprising: On the computer,
a first step of receiving a control request that is connected via an operation device and a virtual private network provided for each of a plurality of railway operators and that is transmitted via an interface unit provided for each of the plurality of railway operators;
a second step of individually managing the operation of trains of the plurality of railroad operators based on the control request received in the first step ;
A control program comprising : a network address of an interface unit, which is a transmission target of information, among the plurality of interface units, included in information to be transmitted as a destination network address . On the computer,
a first step of receiving a control request that is connected via an operation device and a virtual private network provided for each of a plurality of railway operators and that is transmitted via an interface unit provided for each of the plurality of railway operators;
a second step of individually managing train operations of the plurality of railroad operators based on the control request received in the first step;
a third step of acquiring a fee for the train operation management service obtained by the second step from the plurality of railway operators;
A control program for causing the user to execute the above steps. On the computer,
a first step of receiving a control request that is connected via an operation device and a virtual private network provided for each of a plurality of railway operators and that is transmitted via an interface unit provided for each of the plurality of railway operators;
a second step of individually managing train operations of the plurality of railroad operators based on the control request received in the first step;
A third step of requesting a maintenance company to perform maintenance management of the railway equipment of the railway operator;
A control program for causing the user to execute the above steps.

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